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GENEALOGY 

941.82501 

C832 

V.2, 

NO.l 


Digitized  by 

the  Internet  Archive 

in  2014 

https://archive.org/details/journalofcountyl2119coun 


IRa  1, 

IHouenilier, 


QrcVi(xoiox;\ca\  \ 


|ouTOal. 


^^^^  • 


mm 


wsmm 


\  2/G. 


1  / 


■    Covnru  \ovirh  QrcViorplortcat 


Vol.  II. 


No.  I. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE 
COUNTY  LOUTH 
ARCH^OLOGICAL 
SOCIETY.     .      .  . 


ESTABLISHED  I903. 


DUNDALK  AND  DrOGHEI>A 

Printed  by  William  Tempest,  Dundalgan  Press 
1908. 


1f  6|\-t)ui'6e  'n  x:-A\^X)A\\^  Ann  'f^n  lipogrhAf 

O  fAotAi[\  feAn-^AO'OAl  Ann  50  leo]A. 

Dan  Lynch. 


BINDING  VOLUME  I. 

The  Publisher  has  prepared  a  special  doth  cover,  printed 
urith  the  front  design  of  the  Journal  in  two  colours  and  titled  on 
the  hack,  in  which  members  may  have  their  four  numbers  of  the 
Journal,  which  form  Volume  I.,  bound. 

The  price  of  cover  and  binding  is  2/6,  postage  extra,  and  mem- 
bers requiring  this  done  are  asked  to  send  their  four  numbers  to  the 
Publisher.    Cover  alone,  1/- 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Annual  Meeting                   ..              ..             ..             ..         ■     ..  ..  5 

Richard  FitzRalph  of  Dundalk— Rev.  James  MacCaffrey,  Ph.  D.        ..  5-13 

Footsteps  of  St.  Feighin  in  Louth,  by  Rev.  T.  Gogarty,  C.C.  '        ..  ...  14-18 

Interesting  Drogheda  Inscription    by  Rev.  T.  Gogarty,  C.C.           ..       '  ..  19-20 

Faughan  and  Proleek,  by  "Enda"                     ...         ..             ..  21-23 

Bibliography  of  Louth,  Meath,  Westmeath,  and  Longford,  by  J.  Coleman,  Qork  24-26 

KiLLAiNE  IN  Slieve  Breagh,  by  "Enda"                            ..              ..  ..  27-28 

Place  Names  in  County  Louth,  by  Major-General  Stubbs                  ..  ..  29-39 

Holy  Wells  in  County  Louth,  by  Major-General  Stubbs                  ..  ..  40 

Wells  Bearing  Irish  Names  in  County  Louth,  by  Major-General  Stubbs  ..  40 

Motes  and  their  Origin,  by  Henry  Morris          ..             ..              ..  ..  41-44 

The  Byrnes  of  County  Louth,  by  Patrick  Kirwan              ..              ..  ..  45-49 

Origin  of  Irish  Motes,  by  Goddard  H.  Orpen                   ..             ..  ..  50-56 

O'Hanlon  Tomb  and  Arms  in  Newtown,  Lordship,  by  SeumAf  Ua  Cuinn  ..  57-61 

Redmond  Count  O'Hanlon's  Pedigree               ..             ..             ..  ..  61 

Carolaniana,  by  Rev.  L.  Donnellan,  C.C.             ..              ..              ..  ..  62-71 

Note  by  Standish  O'Grady                    ..             ..             .               ..  ..  71 

Danish  Louth,  by  tojicAn  p.  Ua  muijieA-oAij        . .             . .             . .  . .  72-77 

Words  and  Music  of         Citle  CiieAjAn,  by  L.D.  and  J.Q.                 ..  ..  78-82 

Two  Memorial  Wayside  Crosses— Taaffes  and  MacMahons— by  SeumAf  Ua  Ctiinn  83-84 
LouTHiANA :  Ancient  and  Modern — 

Mount  Ash,  by  M.W.                ..              ..              ..              ..  ..  85 

Rathdrumin,  by  S.  Ua  C.          ..             ..             ..             ..  ..  86 

Raskeagh,  by  H.G.T.                ..             ..             ..             ..  ..  88-89 

Notes  and  Queries — Place  Names  in  County  Louth — Evettstown — Ballinlough  . .  89 
Visit  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  to  County  Louth — 

Address  from  the  Dundalk  Urban  Council    . .             . .             . .  . .  90 

Address  from  the  Louth  Archaeological  Society            ..             ..  ..  91-92 

Itinerary  of  the  Excursions,  &c.,  by  T.  Murphy    ..             ..  ..  92-96 

Reviews  : — Journal  of  the  R.S.A.,  96— Waterford  Archaeological  Journal,  97 — Kildare 
Archaeological  Journal,  97 — Journal  of  the  Ivernia  Society,  97 — 
Cloic-ceAnn-pAolAix),  97 — History  of  Kilsaran,  98 — Report  of  Presbyterian 
Historical  Society,  98 — Architectural  and  Topographical  Record,  99 

Notes  and  Jottings              ..             ..             ..             ..              '.  ..  99-100 

Presentation  to  Mr.  Henry  Morris                  ..             ..             ..  ..  101-102 

Appendix  :— Objects,  Constitution  and  Rules            ..             ..             ..  ..  103 

List  of  Members                 . .             . .             . .             • .  .  •  104-7 

Officers      ..              ..              ..              ..              ..  ..  104 

Council                     ..              ..              ..              ..  ..  104 


LlSr  Ol'  lIJ.lJSTKA'riONS. 


C.Koui'  AT  Caki  iN(iKoKi)  OK  R. S.A.I             ..              ..  ..  ..  I-'rontispiece. 

Intkui'-.stinc;  DuofiiiKDA  Insckii'TIon  —  Sketch  of  Stone  and  Rubbing  of 

Inscription                      ..               ..  ..  ..  To  face  page  20 

PiKAi  i'.  HvRNii's  Castle  (Castletown  Mount)  ..  ..  ..                    ,,  45 

Miniatures  of  Patrick  Byrne  and  John  Byrne        ..  ..  ..  ,,       ,,  49 

Portrait  of  Carolan  the  Irish  I^ard      ..  ..  ..  ..            ,,       ,,  64 

Music  of         tilLe  CueAx^Ati      ..              ..  ..  ..  ..            ,.       ,,  80 

Illustration  of  the  Taaffe  and  MacMahon  Crosses  ..  ..  ,,       ,,  84 

Louthiana  ;  Ancient  and  Modern — 
Mount  Ash  : 

View  and  Ichnography  in  1748  ..  ,.  ..            ,,  85 

Plan  and  View  in  1908               ..               .  ..  87 

Rathdritmin  :         ■  ' 

Plan  and  Section  in  1748           ..  ..  ..  ..            ,,       ,,  86 

Plan  in  1908             ..              ..  .,  ..  ..            ,.  87 

Rasskeogh  : 

Ichnography  of  same  in  1748  ..  ..  ,,       ,,  88 

View  in  1748             ..              ..  ..  ..  ..            ,,       ,,  89 

Plan  and  View  in  1908            ..  ..  ..  .,            ,,  87 

Snapshots  of  the  R.S  A.  Excursion       ..  ..  02 


JOURNAL  0^  THE  COUNTY  LOUTil 

ARCH.TOLOGICAL 

SOCI ET Y 


No.  I.  SEPTEMBER,  1908.  Vol.  11. 


ANNUAL  MEETING 

RICHARD  FiTZRAIvPH  OF  DUNDAI.K. 
By  Rev.  James  MacCaffrey,  Ph.  D. 

The  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  County  Louth  Archaeological  Society  was  held 
on  Wednesday  evening,  15th  January,  1908,  in  the  Free  Library,  Dundalk,  before 
a  large  and  appreciative  audience, — Mrs.  C.  S.  Whitworth,  Vice-President,  occu])i(.(l 
the  chair. 

Dr.  MacCaffrey  came  forward,  and  in  the  course  of  a  very  interesting  address 
said — I  feel  it  an  honour,  as  it  is  indeed  to  me  a  real  pleasure,  to  be  present  to-night. 
The  Louth  Archaeological  Society  though  young  in  years  has  already  more  than 
justified  the  most  sanguine  hopes  of  its  organizers.  By  its  publications,  discussions, 
lectures,  and  excursions,  it  has  already  done  much  for  the  elucidation  of  the  history 
and  archaeology  of  the  county  and  district,  and  even  now  Louth  can  boast  that  tliey 
have  in  their  midst  a  Society,  which,  judged  by  whatever  standard  one  may  care 
to  apply,  is  fully  equal  to  anything  of  its  kind  in  Ireland. 

Nor  is  it  strange  that  this  should  be  so.  Louth  can  boast  of  pecuHar  historical 
associations  which  must  ever  awaken  the  interest  of  Irishmen,  and  claim  the  attention 
of  all  who  are  interested  in  the  story  of  our  country.  Its  legends,  its  historic  tak-s, 
its  monuments,  its  place-names,  the  records  of  the  deeds  done  within  its  borders, 
and  of  the  deeds  done  by  Louthmen  far  beyond  its  borders,  must  always  prove  a 
fascinating  subject  for  Irishmen,  and  particularly  for  Louthmen.  Recalling  as  these 
associations  do  the  story  of  the  civilization  and  culture  of  Celtic  Ireland  long  before 
Christianity  had  begun  to  influence  the  history  of  our  country,  bringing  back  to  onr 


B 


6 


ANNIIAI.  .\|)I)lvl':SS. 


minds  the  l.ihoiiis  and  |  )i  laclii  ii;-,  ol  St.  Tatiuk  and  of  his  laitliliil  disciple  .S( .  Mochta, 
tlir  I  >,imsli        asioiis,  llic  piiiK  clN    iininiriciicc  ol  the  and  tlic  Xornian  alike, 

Ihf  I, ltd  s()iii;s  ol  wai  and  hloodshcd  winc  h  has  i^ivcn  the  I'.oyiic  suth  a  ])r()niinent 
plarc  Ml  oni  histoix  ,  thc\-  an'  sniruMent  to  make  the  historv  ol  I.outli  in  a  ccrtiiin  sense 
t  hi-  nnnat  ni  e  histoi  N'  (>!  1 1  i  lanth 

It  is  ni\-  puij)ose  to  sjjcak  to  >'on  lo-ni^lit  on  the  hie  of  a  man  whose  ability, 
leainmi;  and  inlhiencc-  ha\-e  been  justly  a])preeiated  lon^  since  hy  students  of  Middle 
Am-  histoiN-  in  (ierniaiiy,  luij^^land  and  America,  while  here  in  Ireland,  the  land  of 
his  hirth,  and  (he  scene  of  his  actix'c  and  restless  career,  his  name  is  almost  unknown  — 
I  mean  Richard  lMt/.ral])h,  the  distinguished  Archl)ish()])  of  Armaj^h. 

It  is  s{)ecially  fitting  that,  this  subject  should  be  dealt  with  at  a  meeting  of  the 
bouth  Archaeological  vSociety  assend:)le(l  at  Dundalk.  For  it  was  here,  in  this  very 
town,  according  to  the  most  reliable  authorities,  that  he  was  born  ;  it  was  from 
this  place  he  has  taken  the  name  by  which  he  is  best  known  to  students  of  histor}', 
Richard  of  Dundalk  ;  it  was  in  this  diocese  of  Armagh  that  he  exercised  his  functions 
as  Archbishop,  and  in  the  district,  Dundalk,  Drogheda  and  Trim  he  preached  those 
Sermons  which  remain  to  the  present  day  models  of  pulpit  oratory  ;  it  was  here  in 
Dundalk,  after  his  death  in  exile,  that  his  remains  were  reverently  transported  by 
De  \'alle,  the  bishop  of  Meath,  and  laid  to  rest  in  the  old  church  of  St.  Nicholas  ; 
atid  it  was  round  the  tomb  that  the  faithful  people  amongst  whom  he  had  laboured, 
and  who  knew  him  best,  flocked  in  loving  pilgrimage,  and  where  the  popular  verdict 
had  already  accorded  him  a  place  in  the  Calendar  of  vSaints,  for  here,  as  the  old  r7th 
century  rhyme  expresses  it,  it  used  to  be  said  : 

Many  a  mile  have  I  gone. 
And  many  did  1  walk. 
But  never  saw  a  holier  man 
Than  Richard  of  Dundallv.i 

It  is  nowadays  generally  accepted  that  Richard  Fitzralph  was  born  in  Dundalk. 
It  is  true  that  some  writers,  relying  on  the  authority  of  Prince,  ^  here  put  forward 
the  view  that  he  was  born  in  Devon,  but  the  arguments  in  favour  of  Dundalk  are 
so  conclusive  that  we  may  safely  neglect  the  probabilities  which  are  urged  in  favour 
of  Devon.  In  the  first  place,  it  is  absolutely  certain  that  one  branch  of  the  faniih' 
of  Fitzralph  was  settled  in  Ireland  in  the  thirteenth  century  when  Richard  Fitzralph 
was  born  ;  while,  in  the  second  place,  the  very  name  by  which  he  was  known  amongst 
his  contemporaries — Richard  of  Dundalk — points  to  the  fact  that  Dundalk  was  his 
birthplace,  for,  as  is  well  known,  it  was  the  custom  of  the  time,  to  call  a  man  by  the 
name  of  the  town  or  district,  in  which  he  was  born. 

This  view  is  borne  out  by  the  distinct  statements  to  that  effect  found  in  such 
reliable  authorities  as  the  Chronicun  Angliae,^  the  Annals  of  Ireland,-^  the 
Cartiilariiirn  of  St.  Mary's,  Dublin,^  and  the  Annales  Minorum^oi  lyuke  Wadding. 

1.  Prince,  Worthies  of  Devon,  p.  367.  , 

2.  Idem  I.e.,  p.  3G-i  ff. 

3.  P.  48. 

4.  Ad  annurh  1337.  ^     /:         .  . 

5.  Gilbert  II.,  pp.  487-8.  .  t  . 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCH.l-OLOGICAL  JOUF^NAL 


7 


It  is,  indeed,  admitted  that  the  tradition  in  favour  of  Dinidalk  as  the  l)irthy)Lace  '>f 
Fitzralph  is  almost  miiversal  ;  and.  therefore,  against  such  a  trachtion  \  ery  striking 
arguments  should  be  advanced  before  it  ought  to  be  abandoned. 

Now  what  are  the  arguments  put  forward  by  Prince  and  by  those  who  su])])ort 
the  claims  of  Devon  ?  They  are  principally  the  facts  that  the  Fit/.ralphs  were  settled 
at  Devon,  that  Fitzralph  himself  was  educated  at  Oxford,  that  he  was  Connnissp.iy 
or  Chancellor  of  the  University,  that  he  held  the  Archdeaconry  of  Lichlield,  and. 
finally,  that  in  his  controversy  with  the  Mendicant  Friars  he  was  supported  ])riuci- 
palh"  b}^  the  bishops  of  England. 

Xow  these  statements,  though  they  may  seem  to  point  to  a  close  connexion 
with  England,  must  appear  of  little  value  to  anyone  acquainted  with  the  state  of 
affairs  in  England  and  Ireland  at  the  period  at  which  Fitzralph  was  born.  I  ha\  e 
already  pointed  out  that  besides  the  Devonshire  branch  of  the  family  of  Fitzral])h 
there  was  certainly  another  part  of  the  family  settled  in  Ireland  in  the  thirteenth 
century,^  and  therefore  the  connexion  of  the  family  with  Devon  does  not  militate 
against  Dundalk  as  the  birthplace  of  the  future  archbishop. 

That  he  was  educated  at  Oxford  we  freely  admit.  But  how  does  that  pro\  e 
that  he  was  born  in  England  ?  A  glance  at  the  records  of  Oxford  I^niversity  at 
this  time  is  sufficient  to  prove  that  many  of  our  Irish  students  flocked  there  for  their 
education  ;  and  we  can  point  to  the  names  of  several  distinguished  Irishmen  wlio 
were  at  that  time  resident  in  its  walls.  Indeed,  some  of  the  older  writers  refer  to 
the  fact  that  it  was  customary  for  Irish  students  to  go  to  Oxford,  and  it  is  this  \  ery 
reason  which  is  advanced  in  Papal  documents  as  an  argument  for  the  necessity 
of  founding  a  University  in  Dublin.  ^  Since,  then,  it  was  customary  for  Irish  students 
to  pursue  their  studies  at  Oxford,  the  fact  that  Fitzralph  had  been  a  student  there, 
and  afterwards  a  high  official  of  the  University,  can  hardly  be  accepted  as  a  sufficieiit 
proof  that  he  was  born  in  England. 

Nor  is  it  strange  that  though  an  Irishman  he  should  hold  a  benefice  in  England. 
Anyone  who  will  take  the  trouble  of  examining  the  Papal  Registers^  for  the  period 
will  find  many  examples  of  Irishmen  holding  benefices  in  England,  just  as  he  will 
find  many  Englishmen  or  Italians  holding  benefices  in  Ireland.  Nor  is  it  difficult 
to  understand  why  P'itzralph  should  have  been  so  strongly  supported  by  the  Ivnglisli 
bishops  in  his  controversy  with  the  Mendicant  P'riars,  since  it  was  in  England  the 
grievances  alleged  against  the  Friars  were  most  pressing,  and  P'itzralph  on  account 
of  his  associations  and  well  recognised  ability  was  regarded  as  the  spokesman  of  tl:e 
hierarchy  in  the  British  Islands. 

Fitzralph  was  born  about  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century,  and  was  sent  to 
make  his  studies  at  Oxford.  The  University  was  then  a  busy  centre  of  intellectu;il 
life.  The  Humanist  movement  had  already  begun  to  make  its  inlluence  felt,  while 
in  philosophical  and  theological  departments  a  sharp  divergence  of  opinion  on  many 
points  led  to  warm  discussions  between  the  professors  and  the  supj)orters  of  the  rival 

1.  I.  E.  R.  Vol.  I.,  p.  487. 

2.  Theiner's  Monunienta. 

'A.  Papal  Register^i  (StaU^  Paper  Scries). 


8  ann(;ai.  /\I)1)[<i:ss. 

pioffssors  ;iiii()ii.L;st  tin-  studciils.  'iMic  |)liil()S()])liic-  tluorics  that  had  ht'cn  rcMhiccd 
to  a  drlmitc  svstciii  h\-  St.  Thomas,  vvcac  not  then  uni\'ersally  accci)ted  at  Oxford. 
'Piu-  Rcahsts,  as  the  supporters  of  St.  'I'hoiuas  were  callcfl,  were  warmly  ()pl)Osed 
h\    thi'  Nomiiiahsts,  tlic  system  ^eiierall\'  favoured  by  the  iMauciscaiis. 

Nor  was  this  (hspute  a  mere  war  of  words  as  is  often  assumed  and  stated  by 
th(Ki-  wlio  ha\'e  ne\'er  taken  the  troul)le  of  examinin^^  for  themselves  the  works  of 
a  sinule  Middle  A^e  philos()])her.  It  involved  what  must  be  for  every  educated 
man  tlie  ei-ntral  ({ueslion  of  all  phil()S()])hy  namely,  the  value  of  human  knowledge  ; 
ami  it  was  in  substance  the  \'ery  (piestion  which  is  ))eing  so  warmly  discussed  to- 
dav  in  the  Universities  of  the  world.  The  ])hiloso])hers  of  the  Middle  Age  may 
h.ue  been  right  or  wrong,  but  one  thing,  at  least,  deserves  to  be  recorded  in  their 
ta\-our,  and  that  is  the  fact  that  they  grappled  with  the  essential  difiiculties,  and 
the\'  endeavoured  to  give  a  consistent  answer,  and  a  consistent  system. 

iMt/.ralph,  young  and  ardent  as  he  was,  naturally  revelled  in  such  a  conflict. 
He  threw  himself  into  the  controversy  on  the  side  of  the  ReaHsts,  and  this  early 
opposition  to  the  Franciscan  party  may  account  in  some  measure  for  his  subsequent 
attitude  towards  that  body.  He  graduated  at  Oxford  first  as  a  Master  of  Arts,  and 
afterwards  as.  a  Doctor  of  Theology.  His  career  at  Oxford  did  not  end  with  his 
student  days.  He  became  a  professor  there,  and  as  an  old  writer  puts  it,  he  was  so 
versed  in  theology  and  the  laws  that  the  whole  University  flocked  to  his  lectures 
as  bees  to  a  hive.  ^ 

Uater  on,  in  the  year  1333,  he  was  appointed  Chancellor  of  Oxford,  though 
Wood  claims  that  the  records  mention  his  name  only  as  Commissarius  or  Vice-Chan- 
cellor.  This  apparent  discrepancy  can  be  explained  b}-  the  fact  that  the  Chancellor 
of  the  University  had  been  before  this  time  usualh^  appointed  by  the  Bishop  of 
Lincoln,  within  whose  jurisdiction  the  University  was  situated.  But  in  the  four- 
teenth century  a  movement  had  been  on  foot  to  secure  that  the  Chancellor  should 
be  an  academical  and  not  an  episcopal  official.  ^  The  period  was  therefore  a  period 
of  confusion  between  the  two  styles  ;  and  it  is,  therefore,  quite  intelligible  that 
though  Fitzralph  had  been  appointed  Chancellor  of  the  University  by  the  bishop 
his  name  might  appear  on  the  records  of  Oxford  only  as  Commissarius  or  Vice- 
Chancellor.  It  is  certain,  at  any  rate,  that  in  the  year  1333  Fitzralph  was  appointed 
Chancellor  of  the  Diocese  of  Lincoln,  ^  and  later,  Dean  of  Lichfield.  * 

The  vSee  of  Armagh  became  vacant  about  the  year  1346,  and  Fitzralph  was 
selected  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  Chapter  of  Armagh,  and  confirmed  as  Arch- 
bishop by  Benedict  XII.  ^  He  was  consecrated  at  Exeter  on  13th  July,  1347,  ^^^^ 
in  the  same  year  he  received  the  pallium  from  the  hands  of  the  bishops  of 
Ardagh  and  Cloyne  who  had  been  deputed  by  the  Pope. 

The  time  of  the  appointment  of  Fitzralph  to  Armagh  was  a  troubled  one  in 
the  religious  and  political  world.    In  politics  the  Imperial  views  that  had  dominated 

1.  Leland.  Comm.  de  Script.  Britt.,  p.  372. 

2.  Rashdall  Universitie.?  of  Europe  II.,  Part  II.,  p.  3C)4ff. 

3.  Fasti  Ecclesiae  Anglicanae  I.,  p.  oGl. 

4.  Anglia  Saera  I.  443. 
Theiner  Monumenta,  p.  288. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH/EOLOGICAL  JOURNAL 


9 


the  statesmen  of  the  i\Iiddle  Ages  were  fast  disa])pearing,  and  were  being  rephiced 
by  the  spirit  of  NationaHsm.  The  pohtical  power  of  the  Popes,  which  had  reached 
its  highest  point  at  the  beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century  under  Innocent  III. 
was  rapidly  on  the  wane,  especially  since  the  days  of  Boniface  \''III.  A  spirit  of 
scepticism  and  of  opposition  to  current  philosophical  and  theological  views  had 
already  begun  to  threaten  the  religious  unity  of  the  western  world,  and  e\en  to 
question  the  very  foundations  on  which  the  Christian  SA'stem  was  hitherto  supposed 
to  have  been  based.  The  intercourse  with  the  Saracens  and  the  Jews  brought  about 
by  the  Crusading  movements  had  exercised  a  dangerous  influence  upon  many  of  the 
European  centres  of  learning  ;  and  able  defenders  were  required  if  the  traditional 
philosophical  and  theological  views  were  to  be  maintained. 

It  was  in  these  difficult  times  that  Richard  Fitzralph  received  his  appointment 
as  Archbishop  of  Armagh.  The  Papal  Brief  declared  him  to  be  a  man  of  prudence 
and  foresight  in  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual  matters,  a  description  which  was  justi- 
fied by  his  subsequent  career  as  Archbishop. 

Before  his  appointment  to  Armagh  he  had  been  specially  remarkable  as 
a  preacher,  and  during  the  time  he  held  the  Archbishopric  he  preached  often  at 
Drogheda,  Dundalk,  Trim  and  London,  and  with  such  success  that  while  he  was 
on  a  visit  to  the  Popes  at  Avignon  in  1349  was  selected  to  preach  Ijefore  the  Papal 
Court.  The  manuscripts  of  his  sermons  are  happily  preserved  in  the  Libraries  of 
Oxford,  Cambridge,  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  and  the  British  ]\Iuseum.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  that  a  day  may  come  when  they  shall  be  given  to  the  public.  Most  of  the 
sermons  are  written  on  the  same  plan,  and  though  like  the  generality  of  discourses 
at  the  time,  a  little  too  scholastic  in  form,  yet  they  are  never  merely  cold  intellectual 
arguments,  but  full  of  life  and  spiritual  unction. 

With  his  work  as  Archbishop  of  Armagh  this  is  not  the  place  to  deal  ;  but  there 
is  one  point  which  may  well  be  touched  upon.  You  are  already  aware  that  since 
the  da^'S  of  John  Comyn,  the  first  Norman  Archbishop  of  Dublin,  a  dispute  had  been 
going  between  that  See  and  Armagh  regarding  the  Primatial  rights  in  the  Irish 
Church.  The  Archbishop  of  Armagh  naturally  claimed  the  Priniac}'  as  the  successor 
of  St.  Patrick  ;  while  Dublin,  having  become  the  capital  of  the  country,  and  the 
seat  of  government  since  the  Norman  Invasion,  its  Archliishop  was  unwilling  to  re- 
cognise the  spiritual  supremacy  of  Armagh.  Popes  and  Kings  had  intervened 
on  different  occasions,  at  one  time  in  favour  of  Armagh,  at  another  in  fa\-()ur  of 
Dublin,  but  still  no  definite  settlement  had  been  effected. 

During  the  reign  of  Fitzralph  as  Archbishop  the  dis]nUe  l)r()ke  out  once  more, 
this  time  with  De  Becknon,  the  archbishop  of  Dublin.  In  1349  I'-dward  III.  sided 
with  Fitzralph,  but  in  the  next  year  he  changed  his  attitude  and  forbade  iMtzralj)!! 
to  exercise  Primatial  rights  within  the  confines  of  the  See  of  Dublin.  The  King  also 
appealed  to  the  Pope  at  Avignon  to  uphold  this  prohibition.  Hut  I-it/ralph  was  not 
daunted  by  such  powerful  opposition.  He  continued  to  exercise  what  he  l)elie\  e(l 
to  have  been  his  rights,  and  the  case  was  carried  to  Avignon  for  an  authoritati\  e 
decision.  Apparently  no  definite  judgment  was  gi\en,  for  the  dispute  continued  to 
rage  for  centuries   afterwards,  but  it  is  curious  that  in  .Mien,  arehliisho])  ot 


TO 


ANNliAI.  ADDKI'.SS. 


Duhliii,  stairs  tli.it  hr  toiiiKl  a  li-ttcr  of  Innocent  VI.  in  Konic  wliich  decided 
that  the  ai(  Iihishoj)  of  AiniaKli  shnnhl  he  styled  the  Triniate  of  All  Ireland,  while 
th(>  ai(hl)ishoi)  ot  Duhlm  should  hear  the  title  of  Primate  of  Irelan(h  Whatever 
ahont  till-  authent  ieit  \'  of  this  letter  and  its  authentic  ity  is  not  above  suspicion — 
this  is  the  oiiKin  of  tin-  pieseiit  titles  of  the  arc-hhishops  of  Armagh  and  I)ul)lin.i 

It  is  sometimes  said  that  I'it/rali)h  was  ai)])ointed  a  Cardinal,  and  that  he  has 
the  honour  of  heini;  the  first  Cardinal  in  the  See  of  Armagh.  The  authority  for  this 
statcMtient  is  an  Italian  wiiler  named  Volterra,^  and  until  com])aratively  recent  times 
his  statements  were  not  supi)orted  by  any  other  evidence.  But  since  the  publi- 
cation of  Theiner's  M oiiujiicufd  ^  a  new  argument  for  this  view  has  been  found  in  the 
sha])e  of  a  consistorial  process  relating  to  the  diocese  of  Ardagh  in  the  year  1517, 
in  whicli  Richard,  the  Cardinal  archbishop  of  Armagh,  is  referred  to  as  one  of  the 
glories  of  the  Irish  Church. 

rnfortunately,  however,  in  spite  of  these  statements,  we  can  hardly  hope  to 
sustain  the  claim  of  Fitzralph  to  the  title  of  Cardinal.  The  very  complete  record  of 
the  College  of  Cardinals  drawn  up  by  Pauvinio  and  Ciaconnius  in  which  no  reference 
is  made  to  Fitzralph,  the  absence  of  all  reference  to  such  an  appointment  in  the  other 
able  works  of  the  College  of  Cardinals,  and  especially  the  fact  that  in  all  the  Papal 
documents  of  the  period  he  is  never  once  spoken  of  as  Cardinal,  make  it  clear  that 
Volterra  must  have  been  mistaken.  Nor  is  the  additional  testimony  of  the  docu- 
ment given  by  Theiner  of  any  weight  with  anyone  who  has  examined  the  subject, 
as  the  portion  of  it  referring  to  Fitzralph  is  a  mere  quotation  from  the  book 
of  Volterra.  Hence  it  is  of  no  more  authority  than  the  source  from  which  it  was 
borrowed. 

Fitzralph,  as  I  shall  point  out  later  on,  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  Scripture 
scholars  of  his  age.  He  was  selected  by  the  Pope  as  the  exponent  of  the  position 
of  the  Western  Church  in  its  controversies  with  the  Armenians,  and  as  these  rejected 
most  of  the  arguments  adduced  from  authority  he  was  forced  to  rely  mainly  upon 
scriptural  proofs,  and  in  this  sense  he  may  be  said  to  have  initiated  an  entirely  new 
style  of  conducting  religious  controversy.  No  man  since  his  time  has  displayed 
a  more  complete  and  ready  acquaintance  with  the  Scriptures,  the  Old  Testament 
as  well  as  the  New,  as  did  Fitzralph,  and  no  man  more  clearly  recognised  that  in  the 
changed  circumstances  of  the  time  recourse  must  be  had  to  new  methods  and  lines 
of  defence.  It  was  he,  too,  who  first  amongst  Scripture  commentators  strongly 
emphasised  the  view  that  the  Holy  Ghost  did  not  shape  the  expression  of  the  in- 
spired writer,  but  that  the  Divine  assistance  merely  guaranteed  the  substance  of  the 
sacred  volumes. 

In  connexion  with  his  work  on  Scripture  it  has  been  often  stated  that  Fitzralph 
translated  the  Bible  into  Irish.  Fox,  in  his  Acts  and  Monuments,^  testifies  to  the 
existence  of  the  Irish  translation,  and  adds  that  many  Englishmen  who  were  then 
alive  had  seen  it.    Bale  also  supports  this  view.    It  is  said  that  Fitzralph  had  it 

1.  Wilkin's  Curcilia  IV.,  p.  81ff.    J.  E.  P.  III.  Series  . X,  p.  422.    IV.  Series,  VIII.,  p.  183. 

2.  Comment  Urban  lib.  3. 

3.  p.  521. 

•4.  Kaulen  Geschichte  der  Vulgata,  p.  294. 
5.  II.  766. 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCH.l-OLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


attached  to  one  of  the  walls  of  his  church  with  the  inscription  :  "  ao)!  hie  Ii'hrr  in- 
ventus fuerit  Veritas  toti  mundo  maiiifesfahitur  vel  Christus  orJn  noti  apparchil  '"^  and 
that  when  some  repairs  were  being  made  in  the  church  in  1530  this  Irish  xcrsion 
was  discovered. 

In  the  absence,  however,  of  any  reliable  confirmation  of  this  story,  and  in  view 
of  the  fact  that  the  translation  of  it  ever  existed  nuist  ha\-e  (juickly  and  c()ni])leteh' 
disappeared,  it  is  difficult  to  maintain  that  Fitzralph  translated  the  Bible  into  Irish. 
The  authorities  for  the  story  are  not  such  as  we  could  safeh'  rely  upon  ;  and.  besides, 
it  would  be  exceedingly  strange  that  while  so  many  of  P'itzralph's  works  have  been 
so  carefully  preserved  his  Irish  version  which  would  ha\'e  been  the  most  important 
of  all  should  have  completely  disappeared,  and  have  been  forgotten. 

During  his  period  as  archbishop  he  did  his  best,  to  maintain  peace  between  the 
Irish  and  Norman  settlers.  In  1348^  he  received  from  the  king  full  powers  to  make 
peace  between  the  English  and  Irish,  and  later  still,  in  1355,  when  he  was  engaged 
on  his  archepiscopal  visitation  in  the  diocese  of  Meath,  he  was  suddenly  recalled  to 
Dundalk  by  order  of  Edward  III.  in  order  to  treat  for  terms  with  O'Neill,  who  was 
then  advancing  on  Dundalk  with  a  large  force. 

In  his  visits  to  Avignon  the  learning  and  ability  of  Fitzralph  attracted  the 
favourable  notice  of  the  Pope,  who  was  then  engaged  in  an  attempt  to  effect  a  re- 
union between  the  Eastern  and  Western  Churches.  Two  distinguished  Armenian 
prelates,  Nerses  of  Melasgerd  and  John  elect  of  Khilat,  were  at  that  time  at  Avignon, 
and  Fitzralph  was  selected  to  confer  with  them,  and  to  place  before  them  the  views 
of  the  Western  Church.  ^  As  the  results  showed,  no  better  selection  could  have  been 
made.  He  entered  into  a  full  discussion  on  all  the  points  of  difference  between  the 
two  churches,  and  in  connexion  with  this  discussion  he  wrote  his  famous  work,  which 
is  usually  cited  by  title  of  the  first  book,  "  Summa  de  erroribus  Armenorum."  This 
work  of  Fitzralph's  remains  a  standard  authority  on  the  subject  till  the  present  day. 
It  covers  the  whole  range  of  controversy  with  the  Eastern  sects  ;  and,  besides, 
furnishes  a  notable  defence  of  Christianity  against  the  attacks  of  Jews  and  Mahom- 
medans.  It  may  seem  strange  that  Fitzralph  should  have  devoted  so  much  attention 
to  this  subject,  but  anyone  acquainted  with  the  influence  exercised  in  Christian 
centres  of  thought  during  the  thirteenth  century  by  the  Jewish  and  Arabian  ])hih)- 
sophical  literature,  cannot  be  surprised  that  the  archbishop  of  Armagh  should  have 
felt  it  necessary  to  attack  their  position. 

But  Fitzralph's  most  serious  controversy  was  with  the  Mendicant  Friars, 
especially  with  the  Franciscans.  The  Mendicant  Orders  that  sprang  up  in  the 
thirteenth  century  were  the  natural  outcome  of  the  circumstances  of  their  time. 
The  old  Feudal  ideas  had  begun  to  pass  away,  to  be  replaced  by  a  more  democratic 
spirit.  The  Church  had  become  deeply  involved  in  the  Feudal  system,  and.  as  a 
consequence,  its  influence  with  the  lower  classes  was  considerably  endangered.  The 
sectaries  of  the  period  were  not  slow  to  utilise  their  advantage  ;  and  to  meet  tliem, 

L  Fox.  I.e.  766. 

2.  U.ssher's  Works  XIL  Mr,. 

3.  Ed.  IIL,  CI.  R.  29-30. 

4.  Pat  29  Ed.  in. 

5.  Bellesheim  gesch.  der  Kirrhe  in  Irland.  I  .")ir). 

6.  Edited  by  John  Sudoris.  and  pul)lish('(i  in  Paris.  l.')M. 


ANNUM,  AI)I)K1:SS. 


it  was  tclt  tliat  a  hods'  of  ck'rj^>  iiK  ii  were  ic(niiie(l  who  would  he  as  poor  as  their 
ciitiis,  who  woidd  hdxmr  amongst  the  ])f()])le,  and  (k'i)end  for  llicir  existence  on  the 
charity  of  the  faithfuh  This  led  to  tlie  estahlislinient  of  the  Mendicant  Orders. 
The  1m aiiciscans,  accordinjj;  to  the  will  of  their  founder,  were  to  have  no  property 
in  lands  or  houses  ;  their  only  suj)])()rt  should  be  the  alms  of  the  people  amongst 
whom  they  laboured. 

With  the  disa})pearance  of  the  circumstances  which  had  called  the  Mendicant 
Orders  into  existence,  the  principles  which  underlay  the  rules  of  their  order,  especially 
the  ])rincii)le  of  poverty,  were  questioned  by  clever  opponents.  The  fact  that  in 
many  j)laces,  in  the  University  as  well  as  in  the  pulpit,  the  Mendicants  had  supplanted 
the  vSecular  Clergy  tended  to  increase  this  opposition.  In  England  the  movement 
was  particularly  strong,  and  Fi'tzralph  on  account  of  his  ability,  learning,  and  position, 
was  looked  to  as  a  leader  by  the  opponents  of  the  Mendicants.  In  1349  was  com- 
missioned by  the  Enghsh  clergy  to  bring  the  matter  before  the  Pope  at  Avignon. 
He  presented  a  memorial  in  1350,  ^  and  was  urged  by  one  of  the  Cardinals  to  under- 
take a  thorough  examination  of  the  principles  of  the  Mendicant  institutions.  This 
treatise  was  completed  about  the  year  1353,  and  is  known  under  the  title  "  De  Pauperie 
Salvatoris."  This  work  consists  of  seven  books,  the  first  four  of  which  were  pub- 
lished by  Poole  in  his  edition  of  Wycliffe's  "  De  Dominio  Divino.^  It  is  evident 
from  a  glance  at  the  work  that  Wycliffe  owed  many  of  his  ideas  to  the  treatise  of 
Fitzralph,  especially  his  ideas  upon  the  relation  between  grace  and  ownership. 
Ownership,  according  to  him,  was  founded  by  divine  grace,  and  the  sinner,  therefore, 
lost  all  title  to  ownership  by  his  sin. 

In  1356  Fitzralph  went  to  lyondon  on  business,  and  while  there  was  invited 
by  the  opponents  of  the  Mendicants  to  expound  his  views  on  the  whole  controversy. 
In  response  to  this  invitation  he  preached  a  course  of  seven  or  eight  sermons  in  English 
in  which  are  embodied  his  famous  nine  conclusions  against  the  poverty  of  the 
Mendicant  Orders.  The  Franciscans  promptly  appealed  to  the  Pope,  and  Fitzralph 
was  summoned  to  explain  or  defend  his  theories.  He  went  to  Avignon  in  1357, 
and  gave  a  long  exposition  of  his  views  in  a  work  entitled  "  Defensorium  Curaiorum. ' 
It  should  be  noted  that  on  his  arrival  at  Avignon  he  made  it  clear  that  he  did  not 
wish  to  defend  any  thesis  opposed  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Catholic  Church  ;  and  that, 
though  he  had  attacked  the  Mendicants,  he  never  desired  the  total  suppression  of 
the  Orders,  but  only  that  they  should  be  reformed.  For  three  years  he  remained 
at  Avignon  while  his  case  was  under  discussion,  and  though  no  official  decision  was 
ever  given,  the  opponents  of  Fitzralph  seem  to  have  triumphed. 

In  1360,  according  to  the  best  authorities,  Fitzralph  died  at  Avignon,  *  though 
Wadding,  m  his  "Annales  Minorum,"  states  that  he  returned  from  Avignon  and 
died  in  Belgium.  Ten  years  later  De  Valle,  bishop  of  Meath,  brought  back  his  re- 
mains to  Dundalk,  and  deposited  them  in  the  old  church  of  St.  Nicholas.  *  The 
memory  of  his  works  and  of  the  sanctity  of  his  life  was  strong  in  Dundalk,  and  the 

1.  MS.  Bodleian  Library. 

2.  London,  1890. 

3.  Edited,  Lyons,  1496.  ;  also  in  Goldhast's  Monarchia  S.  Rom.  Imp.,  Frankfort,  1614. 

4.  Gilbert's  Chartularies  II.  393.    Ware-Harris  I.  83. 

5.  Ussher  wrote  to  Camden,  30th  Oct.,  1606,  that  the  monument  to  Fitzralph  had  been  defaced 
by  the  soldiers. 


COUNTY    LOUTH    ARCH.T^OLOCWCA  L  Jork'XAI.. 


13 


people  flocked  in  pilgrimage  to  his  tomb.  He  was  generally  roxered  as  a  saint, 
and  people  themselves  began  to  refer  to  him,  as  vSt.  Richard  of  Dundalk.  Mow.] 
by  the  representations  made  to  him  from  Ireland  Boniface  IX.  appointed  a  com- 
mission, the  president  of  which  w^as  Primate  Colton  of  Armagh,  to  iiuiiiire  into 
his  claims  for  canonisation.  The  result  of  the  process  is  not  known,  but  lMt/.ral])h 
continued  to  be  regarded  as  a  saint.  ^  At  a  meeting  held  at  Drogheda  in  1343  it 
was  ordered  that  the  Feast  of  St.  Richard  of  Dundalk  should  be  observed  on  the 
morrow  of  SS.  John  and  Paul  (27th  June).^  As  late  as  the  seventeenth  ctntnry 
Paul  Harris  tells  us  that  Fitzralph  was  comnionl}^  spoken  of  as  vSt.  Richard  of  1  )un(lalk  ^ 
Three  of  his  works,  "  Defensorium  Curator U7n,"  "  Dc  Paiipcrie  Salvaioris."  wn  X 
the  "  Sunima  in  questionihus  Arnienorum  "  have  been  published.  But  the  greater 
part  of  his  writings  are  still  buried  in  the  manuscripts  in  the  Libraries  of  Oxfor-l, 
Cambridge,  the  British  Museum,  and  Trinity  College,  Dublin.  Had  Fitzralj^h 
belonged  to  any  other  country  his  works  would  long  since  have  been  carefully  edit  el, 
and  his  name  would  have  been  inscribed  on  the  roll  of  the  national  scholars.  I,-  t 
us  hope  that  the  rise  and  development  of  associations  such  as  yours,  will  do  much 
to  remedy  the  neglect  and  the  labours  of  our  own  countrymen. 

In  a  lecture  like  this  I  can  refer  only  to  the  leading  events  of  Fitzral])h's 
brilliant  career.  But  I  have  said  enough  to  stimulate  your  interest  in  a  great  Irish- 
man, one  of  your  own  county  and  your  own  town.  Perhaps  some  of  you  may  tind 
time  to  undertake  further  investigation  of  the  subject.  Fitzralph  lived  at  a  critic.il 
period  in  the  history  of  the  world.  The  Middle  Ages  and  their  ideals  were  passing 
away  to  make  room  for  new  developments  of  thought.  It  was  a  time  of  change 
and  unrest.  The  old  and  the  new  were  in  deadly  conflict.  Many  brilliant  men 
took  part  in  the  transition  struggle,  but  no  more  remarkable  figure  appeared,  ami 
no  man  exercised  a  greater  influence  on  his  own  generation  than  did  Richard  Fit.:- 
ralph,  Richard  of  Dundalk. 

1.  Ware-Harris  I.  83. 

2.  Lives  of  the  Irish  Saints  I.  528. 

3.  Admonition  to  the  Fryars  of  Ireland,  pp.  15,  34. 


C 


14 


:T  is  ralher  a  strange  fact  that  in  neither  of  the  Lives  of  vSt.  Feighin  pre- 
served  for  us  by  Colgan  is  there  any  expHcit  reference  to  vSt.  P'eighin's 
i  connection  with  the  parish  of  Termonfeckin.  Dr.  Lanigan  on  this 
:  account  takes  no  cognizance  whatever  of  the  occurrence  of  the  name 
:  Termonfeckin  in  the  County  of  Ivouth.  And  the  late  Canon  O'Hanlon 
:  writes^: — "The  church  of  Termonfeckin.  in  the  barony  of  Ferrard 
and  County  of  Louth,  had  been  dedicated  to  this  saint,  and  from 
him  the  local  denomination  had  its  origin.  It  means  '  The  asylum 
of  St.  Fechin,'  and  here  the  Archbishops  of  Armagh  had  a  manor.  It 
is  unwary antahle  to  have  stated  that  a  monastery  was  founded  here 
in  665."  It  is  clear  therefore  that  were  we  to  rely  solely  upon  the 
authority  of  our  most  noted  hagiographers,  that  we  should  have  no  warranty  for 
connecting  St.  Feighin  w4th  the  parish  of  Termonfeckin  save  the  mere  fact  that  a 
cliurch  dedicated  to  his  name  existed  in  former  times  in  this  parish.  However, 
traditions  of  the  parish  survive  to  prove  that,  if  St.  Feighin  did  not 
found  a  monastery  there,  he  certainly  had  a  personal  connection  with  the  parish, 
that  he  laboured  there  and  that  he  raised  a  foundation  of  some  description  there, 
and  that  that  foundation  was  at  least  a  church.  In  1835  the  tradition  of  St.  Feighin's 
\  isit  to  Termonfeckin  was  very  vividly  remembered.  In  the  Ordnance  Survey 
Letters  it  is  stated  that  the  saint  was  held  to  ha\-e  at  first  intended  raising  his 
church  upon  the  summit  of  Castlecoe,  but  that  a  raven  snatched  away  his  foreman's 
headgear  and  dropped  it  upon  the  green  plot  in  which  the  Termonfeckin  people 
bury  their  dead  to  this  day.  It  is  a  singular  coincidence  that  the  scholiast  in  the 
Lcahhar  Breac.  who  gives  an  explanation  of  the  meaning  of  the  name  Fechin, 
e  [uates  it  with  llloeccA.  which  Dr.  vStokes  translates  as  "  my  little  raven."  The 
tradition  just  described  is  not  quite  so  circumstantially  remembered  now,  but  it  is 
strong  in  asserting  that  vSt.  Feighin  raised  a  church  within  the  precincts  of  the 
cemetery  of  Termonfeckin.  There  is  a  well  quite  close  to  the  Bridge  of  Termon- 
feckin. which,  although  it  has  begun  to  be  unaccountably  described  as  the  Pan 
Well,  was  always  known  as  St.  Feighin's  Well,  and  was  called  by  the  old  speakers 
of  Irish  UobAfA  peicm.  The  pretty  valley  which  lies  between  the  Bridge  and 
the  sea  used,  we  are  credibly  informed,  to  be  known  as  Feighen  valley.  All  these 
traditions  and  others  less  noteworthy  point  undoubtedly  to  vSt.  Feighen's  personal 

1.  Vol.  I.,  p.  881. 

*  We  have  adopted  the  present  .spelling  of  the  saint's  name  as  it  more  nearly  approaches  the  Irish 
pronunciation  and  because  it  re[)reyents  best  the  local  ])ronunciation  of  the  name  in  Termonfeckin. 
We  need  scarcely  sav  that  St.  Feiyhiii  of  'I  ermonfeckiii  i.,  the  j;reat  abbot  of  Fore. 


COUNTY    LOITH    AlU^H.i;OL()(;  ICAL  lOl'KNAL 


15 


connection  with  the  place  that  has  taken  its  name  from  him.  If  wc  deny  tl:e 
accuracy'  of  this  conclusion,  how  are  we  to  account  for  the  selection  of  .St.  l'\-ij.^liiii 
as  the  patron  of  the  parish  ?  Why  should  Donough  O'Carrol  seven  centuries  a^o 
have  raised  a  temple  in  his  honour  there  ?  And  that  he  did  exercise  his  munificence 
in  thus  honouring  St.  Feighin  the  following  excerpt  from  his  ol)ituary  notice  ])r()\  ts  : 

"  Kalend.  Januar.  v  feria,  lun.  x.  Amio  Domini  in.c.  Ixx.  A  prayer  for  Donncliadii  (.)  Carrol, 
supreme  King  of  Airgiall,  by  whom  were  made  the  book  of    Cnoc  nan-Apstol  at  l.oiitli,  and  the 

chief  books  of  the  order  of  the  year  These  are  especially  the  works  which  he  |)(  rfoi-nie<l  for 

the  prosperity  [of  his  soul]  and  reign,  in  the  land  of  Airghiall — namely.  th(>  monaslci  v  of  iimnks  on  trie 
bank  of  the  Boyne  [both  as  to]  stone  and  wooden  furniture  and  l)ooks.  and  ti'rritory  and  hiiid.  in  wliu  li 
[monastery]  there  are  one  hundred  monks  and  three  hundreil  ceventuals,  autl  the  inondsl<T\-  of  <  aiion.H 
of  Termann  Feichin  and  the  monastery  of  nuns  and  the  great  church  of  TcntKiini  F<  ichiu  and  the  clmt"  h 
of  Lepadh  Feichin  and  the  church  of  .  ..."  ^ 

That  Donough  O'Carrol's  church  was  dedicated  to  St.  Feighin  scarcelv  necc^s 
proof  ;  however,  that  proof  is  forthcoming  in  the  following  excerpt  from  I'rimate 
Swayne's  Registry  A. d.  1435.  "John  Bishop  of  Connor  held  an  ordination  in  tl.e 
parish  church  of  St.  Feghin  of  Termonfeghin,  -  &c." 

Moreover,  amongst  the  Ordinances  attributed  to  Archbishop  Sweetman  it  is 
found  that  he  enjoined  upon  the  clergy  of  the  x\rchdiocese  of  Armagh  the  recital i(>n 
of  St.  Feighin's  office  upon  his  feast  day  each  year.  In  that  order  vSt.  Feighin  s 
name  is  bracketed  with  St.  Ronan  of  Dromiskin,  whose  intimate  personal  connection 
with  the  Archdiocese  of  Armagh  no  one  denies.  May  we  not  justly  argue  that  Arcl> 
bishop  Sweetman  recognized  that  St.  Feighin's  claim  to  this  special  act  of  honoi.r 
on  the  part  of  the  clergy  of  Armagh  was  based  upon  the  fact  that  he  founded  a 
monastery  at  Termonfeckin  as  St.  Ronan  did  at  Dromiskin.  At  all  events  it  must 
be  conceded  that  the  clergy  of  the  Archdiocese,  guided  by  more  vivid  traditions 
and  in  touch  with  more  abundant  material  concerning  the  acts  of  St.  Feighin  than 
we  have  access  to  to-day,  recognized  that  St.  Feighin's  claim  to  their  special  and 
universal  veneration  was  founded  upon  better  grounds  than  the  mere  fact  that 
he  had  been  chosen  as  the  patron  of  one  of  their  parishes.  We  hold  that  they  were 
aware  that  he  had  an  intimate  personal  connection  with  the  parish,  and  that  tluy 
with  their  Archbishop  felt  it  was  their  duty  to  honour  him  for  the  labours  he  had 
in  his  lifetime  accomplished  there.  And  amongst  these  labours  we  must  accredit 
him  at  least  with  the  foundation  that  the  living  traditions  of  the  parish  still 
continue  to  attribute  to  him.  It  remains  to  be  seen  whether  there  is  not  further 
reason  for  the  belief  that  his  Termonfeckin  foundation  was  not  a  more  pretentior.s 
structure  than  a  church. 

IvCt  us  turn  for  a  moment  from  this  question  to  trace  some  further  connection 
between  St.  Feighin  and  this  district  of  South  Louth. 

There  is  detailed  in  the  Second  Life,  which  Colgan  assures  us  was  c()mi)ik(l 
by  him  from  materials  which  he  believed  were  very  ancient  indeed,  a  celebrated 
incident  which  seems  well  authenticated  and  which  occurred  at  a  place  not  far 
removed  from  Termonfeckin.  The  following  is  a  translation  from  Colgan's  ]-)agcs 
of  the  more  salient  portions  of  the  story  : 

"  Domnald  son  of  Aed,  King  of  Ireland,  on  a  certain  day  entered  the  regions  of  Meath,  desire, :s 
of  changing  the  ancient  boundary  line  which  existed  between  the  territories  of  the  two  rat  es  of  t  lie 
Ui  Neill,  and  to  exchange,  measure  out,  and  more  equitably  divide  their  })o.s.sessi<)ns.  Hence  lh«' 
expedition  is  termed  in  Irish  ]:loi  je^x)  An  trieic— expedition  of  the  measurement  or  of  the  division. 
This  King  Domnald  was  of  the  stock  of  the  Northern  Ui  Neill  of  the  race  of  Connall  (Julban.  Against 
him  in  a  place  which  is  called  Dromnua.  the  sons  of  Aed  Slaine  of  the  Southern  or  .Meatluran  Ci  Ncill, 
collected  another  array.  But  when  they  observed  that  their  forces  were  iniequal  in  number.s  and  in 
strength  to  these  of  the  King,  they  had  recourse  to  the  prayers  and  jjatronage  of  St.  Feighin,  who  was 
then  residing  in  the  territory  of  Maine,  in  a  place  called  Tibrada." 

1.  Vide  Petrie's  "Round  Towers,"  p.  380. 
2.  Vide  King's  "  Early  History  of  Primacy  of  Armagh,"  p.  ")3. 


i6 


Tui'.  i      rs'l'F.i's  oi'  ST.  I \  in  co.  r.ouTii. 


St.  I  c-ij^liiii  i)i()l)al>l\  lu'ard  their  ai)i)('al,  and  is  is  related  that  lie  eanie  to  their 
assist. iiue  and  was  eii.i;a.i;e(l  in  miraculously  feeding  them  at  Druninua 

'  v\  lu  ll  ,1  ici  tiiiii  man  ii upcaro I  heforc  (lie  IcadcM's  arnl  chiefs  i<  l)iikiri<^  llictn  and  laiiiitiiij^ 
1  (h  III  with  1 1 1(1 1  iinlul^fiicf  of  t  lu'ir  st  oinaclis  and  love  of  case  at  a  moiiu-nt  wlicn  tlicir  count  ry  was  openly 
r  s  pd  .cil  to  I  lie  iiHiiisions  of  t  lie  encni  y.  The  leaders,  accompanied  hy  St .  I<'eif^hi  ti,  advance  to  t  he  place 
ciiiniiioiilv  (  alhvl  lidlh  I  )r()Hi<r  )i  im  and  th(M-c  they  measure  out  a  defensive  camj),  where  St.  Keif^liin 
eoMt iniially  fasting'  and  prayitj;^'  persisted  in  a nd)assadorial  joiirneyitjf^s  l)(itw(uui  the  two  armic^s. 
r.iit  1)\  no  condition  or  irulueem(^rit  conid  he  di.ssuade  Kiiifz;  Domjiald  frf)m  his  purposes  'i'he  saint 
Ihicatcned  th<'  Kiti^  with  the  Divine  v<'n<ieanee  did  he  not  desist  from  his  of)Htinacy,  })Mt  still  Ik^  would 
re  t  ii  leiit  .\ccordin<ily,  on  tlu'  f()llowin<^  ni<.;ht  a  {^reat  fall  of  snow  deluf^efl  the  (-anip  of  the  Kin^^, 
s<.  that  it  leached  the  hr-easts  of  the  soldiers,  and  many  men  and  horses  pcirishc^d  in  the;  snow.  But 
tl  .It  \isit;iti()n  did  not  hrrak  down  tlu^  pertinacity  of  the  Kitif^.  Thei-e  descenchnl  from  the  heavens 
n  tici  y  l)olt.  which,  fallin<f  midway  hetween  the  Kinf^  and  Queen,  i)ierced  the  (!art  h  like  lightning  befoni 
their  eyes  and  burnt  it  up.  'IMien  at  length  the  King,  warned  hy  the  Queen  not  to  dare  furth(;r  punish- 
ments yielded,  and  |)rostrating  his  body  irpon  the  earth  he  humbly  sought  the  pardon  of  the  saint. 
r>iit  l)ct'(ii-c  the  saint  granted  the  i)ardon  he  [)laced  his  heel  upon  the  neck  of  the  yjrostrat'C  King  to 
disi  i)\  er  wliether  he  wc^ix-  really  humbh^d  and  penitent,  and  having  ])ersuaded  himself  of  the  true  penitence 
ot  the  Kiuu  he  par-doned  him  and  bringing  the  Kings  together  he  reconciled  them.  He  then  bade  them 
farew.-ll.-- 

The  incident  here  related  seems  well  authenticated,  for  the  Annals  of  Ulster 
record  the  coming  of  King  Domnall  to  Druim  nua  and  the  date  of  the  event. 

<')4()  A.D.  'OomnAll  tTU\c  ^e-OA  cAfcpAmencACUf  efc  in  '0|\uim  11^\o. 

Domnall  son  of  Aed  pitched  his  camp  in  Druim  Nao. 

There  scarcely  can  be  any  misgiving  that  the  Drum  Nao  of  the  Ulster  Annals 
is  the  Rath  droma  nua  of  Colgan,  and  the  date  640  a.d.  perfectly  accords  with  the 
period  of  St.  Feighin's  activity,  as  the  saint  lived  until  664  a.d.  The  author  of 
Camhrensis  Eversus  refers  to  this  incident  in  his  brief  biographical  notice  of  King 
I^onmall  :  "  The  most  signal  instance  of  his  humility  was  when  he  threw  himself 
at  the  feet  of  St.  I'eighin  to  beg  pardon  for  his  crime,  and  allowed  the  saint  to  place 
his  foot  upon  his  neck."^  With  regard  to  the  identification  of  Rath  Droma  nua, 
Colgan  has  been  undoubtedly  mistaken.  He  placed  it  in  the  western  portion  of 
Meath,  and  hinted  that  perhaps  it  was  somewhere  near  to  the  place  called  UobAf 
ISir.Mti.  But  it  is  clearly  the  place  now  commonly  known  as  Rath  in  the  parish 
of  Clogherhead.  The  older  inhabitants  were  accustomed  to  call  it  Rathdrumin, 
and  that  designation  has  not  yet  totally  disappeared,  but  in  the  Ust  of  the  townlands 
printed  in  the  Louth  Archaeological  Journal,  1906,  from  a  document  of  the  year  1660, 
it  appears  as  Rathdromnewe,  which  quite  corresponds  with  the  name  printed  in 
Colgan.  This  place  was  certainly  within  the  confines  of  the  ancient  province  of 
IVreath.  For  the  southern  portion  of  lyouth  was  part  of  Bregia,  as  the  name  of  the 
range  of  hills  from  Collon  to  Clogherhead,  viz.  Sliabh  Breg,  shows,  and  the  Bregians 
we  are  informed  by  an  ancient  poem  quoted  in  Keating  "  possessed  as  far  as  the 
Cassan."  which  admittedl}^  was  the  ancient  name  of  the  Glyde.  Now,  in  all  proba- 
bility, it  was  this  ancient  boundary  that  King  Domnall  was  desirous  of  changing 
in  this  invasion.  King  Domnall  belonged  to  the  Ultonian  Ui  Neill,  and  their  posses- 
sions lay  in  the  province  of  Ulster.  It  is  not  surprising  to  find  him  anxious  to  annex 
to  his  province  the  land  lying  between  the  Glyde  and  the  Boyne,  for  the  latter  river 
would  appear  the  more  natural  boundary  for  the  northern  province.  It  seems  to 
us  therefore  that  his  intent  was  to  extend  the  Ulster  province,  or  perhaps  we  ought 
rather  to  say  the  possessions  of  the  Northern  Ui  Neill,  to  the  banks  cf  the  Boyne. 
Hence  he  traversed  the  ancient  boundary  and  set  up  his  camp  in  the  heart  of  the 
district  that  he  desired  to  make  his  own.  King  Domnall's  expeditio-n  came  to  nothing, 
as  we  have  seen  through  the  pleading  of  St.  Feighin.  However,  this  territory  was 
ultimately  wrested  from  the  province  of  Meath,  for- in  later  centuries  it  becomes 

1.  "  C'ambrensis  Eversius,"  ed-  by  Dr.  Kelly,  Vol.  II.,  p.  19. 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCPLH OLOCxICAL  JOURNAL. 


17 


clear  that  the  Boyne  was  the  southern  hmit  of  the  important  Kingdom  of  (^irj^hiall. 

We  may  now  furnish  other  evidence  confirmatory  of  the  identification  we  have 
made.  It  is  pretty  well  recognized  that  the  scene  of  a  saint's  prayers  and  penance 
was  frequently  venerated  in  more  ancient  times  as  the  bed  of  the  saint.  In  all  proba- 
bility we  should  discover  a  bed  of  St.  Feighin  in  this  region  of  Rathdronmewe. 
It  will  have  been  observed  in  the  obituary  notice  of  Donough  O'Carrol 
that  the  church  of  lepA-on  ^Teicin  (=Feighin's  bed)  was  numbered  amongst  his 
foundations.  That  church  site  has  not  hitherto  been  identified,  but  we  feel  con- 
fident that  the  small  townland  of  Labaustown  in  the  parish  of  Rathdrumin  takes 
its  name  from  it.  An  old  Irish  speaker  gave  us  t)Aiie  au  le.M).\iii  as  the  Irish 
form  of  the  name,  and  he  removed  all  doubt  about  its  meaning  in  translating 
it  as  "  the  town  of  the  bed."  The  location  of  the  "  bed  "  is  easily  found,  for  it 
lies  in  the  north-eastern  corner  of  the  field  known  as  Parkanassey  in  that 
townland.  The  field  is  a  large  one  and  it  lies  on  the  east  of  the  Parsonstown  road 
quite  near  to  Parsonstown  House,  and  although  it  is  constantly  kept  cultivated 
the  corner  we  refer  to  is  left  undisturbed,  and  no  man  except  indeed  one 
who  suffered  for  his  pains,  so  the  tradition  goes,  has  ever  dared  to  turn 
it  up  with  the  plough.  That  venerable  spot  is  we  believe  the  site  of  Donough 
O'Carrol's  foundation  of  lepA-on  peicin.  There  remains  not  a  trace  of  the  church 
of  O'Carrol  on  the  spot,  but  in  the  history  of  Termonfeckin  we  can  trace  a  connection 
between  the  church  of  Termonfeckin  and  this  place.  There  was  a  chantry,  we  learn 
from  Dalton,  connected  with  the  church  of  Termonfeckin  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas. 
That  chantry  we  believe  is  the  ruin  at  Parsonstown,  which  is  distant  only  a  field  or 
two  from  the  field  of  Parkanassey.  The  church  of  Parsonstown  was,  we  are  informed 
by  old  John  Reilly  of  the  parish,  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas.  The  chantry  of 
St.  Nicholas  was  built  about  1528,  for  in  that  year  King  Henry  the  Eighth  permitted 
Rev.  Christopher  DowdalP  to  found  a  chantry  in  connection  with  Termonfeckin 
church.  A  cursory  examination  of  the  ivy-clad  ruin  at  Parsonstown  will  leave  no 
doubt  that  the  time  of  its  erection  corresponds  with  that  date.  The  Parsonstown 
chantry  is  doubtless  the  successor  of  O'Carrol's  church  at  Labanstown,  and  thus 
is  established  a  connection  between  Termonfeckin  and  Labanstown  that  we  may 
well  believe  was  founded  upon  the  fact  that  both  places  were  intimately  connected 
with  St.  Feighin's  name  even  from  the  days  of  St.  Feighin  himself.  We  think  there- 
fore that  Ivabanstown  is  to  be  considered  as  the  location  of  the  Bed  of  St.  P'eighin, 
that  it  is  therefore  the  original  scene  of  St.  Feighin's  supplications  upon  the  momentous 
occasion  of  King  Domnall's  invasion,  and  that  consequently  the  identification  of 
Rathdromnewe  that  we  have  made  is  satisfactorily  confirmed. 

With  regard  to  Druimnua  the  scene  of  the  hosting  of  the  troops  of  the  sons 
of  Aedh  Slaine,  and  the  scene  also  of  the  miracle  attributed  to  St.  Feighin,  that  ])lace 
must  be  the  townland  in  Termonfeckin  parish  known  to  the  inhabitants  as  Drummin. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Meathean  army  marched  to  meet  King  Donmall, 
and  as  he  evidently  arrived  in  the  Meathean  territory  from  the  north,  the  direction 
of  the  march  of  the  defenders  must  have  been  from  south  to  north.  They  there- 
fore gathered  together  at  Drummin  and  marched  northwards  through  Termonfeckin 
and  Clogherhead  parishes  to  the  spot  at  Rathdrumin,  where  they  i)itched  their  camj). 
St.  Feighin  is  said  to  have  been  then  residing  at  a  i)lace  called  Tibrada  in  the  region 
of  Maine.  It  was  understood  by  Colgan,  and  rightly  we  think,  to  be  contiguous 
to  Drumnua.  Tibrada  means  "  the  wells,"  and  from  the  context  it  seems  clear 
that  St.  Feighin  had  made  a  foundation  there,  for  he  was  residing  there.  There  is 
a  townland  still  known  as  the  Thibbras,  or  Tobbera,  which  answers  ])erfectly  to 
the  name  Tiberada  of  the  text  ;    it  is  situated  in   Ballymackenny  i)arish  on  the 


\.  (Cromer's  Ke;zi.ster. 


18 


Till';  I oo'i'sTiJ's  oi   ST.  m:iohin  in  co.  i.outh. 


simniiit  of  llu'  'rullscskci  hills.  I')Ul  as  tlicrc  is  no  reason  for  associating^  vSt.  Tcij^hin 
with  a  foundation  tlR-rc  wc  are  diixcn  to  the  c-onclusion  lli;it  Tihrada  wiis  the  name 
of  his  'I'ernionfeckin  foundation,  before  it  eanie  to  he  designated  by  the  present 
centurii'd  name.  The  |)la(-e  is  remarkable  for  its  wells,  for  we  have  besides 
St.  lH'i,L;hin's  well  tin-  holy  well  that  was  connected  with  the  monastery  of  Canons 
founded  in  the  parish  by  Donough  O'Carrol,  and  which  preserves  its  dedicatory 
nanu',  as  it  is  c  alk-d  Trinity  Well.  vStations  are  still  made  at  that  well  on  the  Feast 
of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity.  There  is  a  third  well  with  sacred  traditions  in  the  j)arish 
known  as  Tobber  Toby.  We  therefore  think  that  the  name  Tibrada  designates 
vSt.  I'eighin's  Termonfeckii?  foundation,  and  that  it  was  upon  its  precincts  he  was 
called  by  the  sons  of  Aedh  vSlaine  to  protect  them  in  their  struggle  against  King 
Donmall.  In  connection  with  the  foundation  at  Tibrada  there  is  a  person  named 
Pastolius  who  was  by  St.  I'Vighin's  side  at  Drumnua.  He  is  said  to  have  been  St. 
I'eighin's  econome  at  Tibrada.  Colgan  was  puzzled  by  the  Latin  form  of  the  name 
Pastolius  and  he  confessed  himself  unable  to  render  its  Irish  equivalent.  We  think, 
however,  that  the  name  (Maspistle  preserves  a  memory  of  this  unsophisticated  disciple 
of  the  saint,  and  that  this  otherwise  unintellegible  Irish  word  signifies  Pastol  or 
Pistols  vStream — i.e.,  f^lAy  pij^rol.  We  have  therefore  good  reason  for  associ- 
ating Pastolius  with  St.  Feighin's  foundation  at  Termonfeckin.  It  is  related  that 
St.  Ronan  of  Dromiskin  on  one  occasion  sent  a  present  to  St.  Feighin  and  his  monks, 
of  seven  or  eight  cows  and  that  when  they  arrived  at  the  monastery  St.  Feighin 
ordered  Pastolius  to  milk  them.  If,  as  we  have  contended,  Pastolius  the  disciple 
of  St.  I'eighin  was  associated  with  his  Termonfeckin  foundation,  the  above  ancedote 
would  lend  support  to  the  contention  that  that  foundation  was  not  a  church  merely 
but  a  monastery.  As  a  matter  of  fact  we  have  Colgan's  authority  for  the  assertion 
that  vSt.  P'eighin's  foundation  at  Tibrada,  which  we  are  of  opinion  is  Termonfeckin, 
was  a  monastery.  We  think  we  may  reasonably  accept  Colgan's  statement,  which 
is  supported  also  by  the  writer  quoted  by  Archdall — viz.,  Conry.  It  is  clear,  how- 
ever, that  the  date  given  by  Conry,  665,  is  a  mistake,  for  the  monastery  must  have 
been  raised  previously  to  640  a.d. 

With  regard  to  the  "  region  of  Maine  "  in  which  Tibrada  is  said  to  have  been 
situate,  that  designation  seems  to  apply  to  the  region  of  Meath  which  fell  in  the 
partition  of  the  province  to  the  son  of  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages,  named  Maine. 
It  would  appear  therefore  from  the  identifications  we  have  made  that  Maine's  in- 
heritance included  the  region  of  Bregia  north  of  the  Boyne.  The  name  Maine  is  not 
to  be  confounded  with  that  of  the  townland  of  Mayne  in  the  parish  of  Clogherhead, 
whose  Irish  form  is  nUn^m,  "  the  little  plain,"  or,  as  we  have  heard  it,  mtugin  TTItic, 
"  the  pigs'  little  plain."  No  doubt  Colgan  places  this  region  of  Maine  in  the  west 
of  Meath,  but  as  he  was  mistaken  in  his  identification  of  Rathdroma  nua,  he  is  to 
be  adjudged  in  error  in  this  identification  as  well. 

Thomas  Gogarty,  c.c. 


19 


^xx  ^ixxtcvc^txxxix  Slroi^ljcba  xiu^crivtiou. 

TED  BY 

PATE 
M  A  11  N 

I    8  9  R 
E  C  S  S  W 
E  REC 

tSgjam  -^-^  stone  which  preserves  the  above  interesting  inscription  was  dis- 
m^^^    covered  during  the  past  year  by  Rev.  Michael  Finegan,  C.C..  vSt. 
G>M^^&     Peter's,  Drogheda.    It  was  taken  for  safety  some  years  ago  from  the 
ruins  of  a  church  at  the  rere  of  a  house  in  Mill  Lane,  Drogheda.  The 
church  is  traditionally  said  to  have  been  the  church  of  the  Domini- 
cans of  Drogheda  at  a  period  subsequent  to  their  expulsion  from  their  monastery 
at  Sunday's  Gate.    The  stone  is  a  small  one  ;  it  is  about  six  inches  square  at  its 
base  upon  which  the  inscription  has  been  cut.    It  is  beautifully  chiselled,  and  was 
apparently  intended  to  carry  a  crucifix  or  an  ornament  and  to  have  been  a  finial 
perhaps  upon  some  part  of  the  altar  of  the  church.    It  is  not  easy  however  to  judge 
its  precise  use.    The  stone  is  undoubtedly  complete  in  itself,  and  there  is  nothing 
about  its  appearance  to  suggest  that  any  part  of  the  original  inscription  has 
been  lost.     It  was  evidently  intended  by  the  designers  that  the  inscription  should 
be  cryptic.     It  is,  therefore,  somewhat  puzzling,  but  we  think  that  it  does  not 
baffle  interpretation.    It  begins  upon  the  fifth  line,  and  when  we  expand  the  con- 
tractions it  appears  as  follows  : — 

EC[cle]S[ia]  S[anctae]  W[ariae] 
EREC- 
TED BY 
P[rim]ATE 
MA[G]  V[idhir]  [in  an]N[o] 
I[acobe]  [i6]89  R[egnante]. 

Translation  : — 

Church  of  vSaint  Mary  (Magdalen) 
Erected  by 
Primate  Mag-Vidhir*  in  the  year 
1689. 

James  [the  Second]  being  King. 


'  The'  EnKlish  form  of  ilu;  name  is  }tlugux^c 


20 


AN  1  N'ri:i<i:s'i"i  N(;  I)I<()(;hi<:i)A  inscription. 


Tlir  iiiscM  i])!  ion  i)ie'sciits  t luTclorc  a  most  (-urious  and  unusual  admixture  of 
Latin  and  l',nL;lisli.  Tlic  tradition  tliat  the  (liurcli  has  been  a  Dominican  foundation 
lirlps  us  i;natly  towards  understanding  it.  Tlie  Patroness  of  the  Dominicans  of 
DroL^hcda  lias  al\va>s  been  St.  Mary  Mag(hden.  We  therefore  consider  the  letter  W 
to  hr  an  inxiated  M.  The  inversion  l>eing  stu(h()usly  used,  as  we  think,  to  suggest 
that  it  was  not  the  Hlessed  Virgin  Mary,  but  the  other  Mary  who  was  the  Patron- 
ess. Primate  Mag-Vidliir  was  a  J)oniinican,  and  it  was  (juite  a])])ropriate  that 
he  should  have  raised  a  church  for  the  brethren  of  his  Order  in  Drogheda.  And 
there  was  necessity  for  such  a  church.  It  is  quite  certain  that  in  Oliver  Plunket's 
time,  and  Olix  er  Plunket  was  Primate  Mag-Vidhir's  predecessor,  the  Dominicans  had 
no  church  in  Drogheda.  Primate  Plunket  wrote  to  the  Internuncio  at  Brussels, 
2()th  vSept ember,  1671  : — ^ 

"  In  ttu'  most  wealth}'  and  noble  city  of  my  diocese  and  of  the  whole  province  there  are  three 
chajicls  very  beautiful  and  ornamented  :  the  first  belongs  to  the  Capuchins,  the  second  to  the  Reformed 
Franciscans,  the  third  to  the  Jesuits.    There  is  also  one  belonging  to  the  Augustinians,  but  it  is  rather 

poor  The  city  to  which  I  allude  is  called  Drogheda,  at  five  hours  distance  from  Dublin  ; 

it  is  next  to  Dublin  the  best  city  in  Ireland." 

We  are  informed  elsewhere  by  Primate  Plunket  that  there  were  Dominican 

friars  in  Drogheda  in  his  time : 

"  In  the  Diocese  of  Armagh  there  are  two  convents  of  Dominicans  :  one  in  Drogheda  consisting  of 
three  friars,  of  whom  F.  Bathe ws  (Mathews  ?)  is  grave,  prudent  and  learned  ;  the  other  convent  is  in 
Carlingford  consisting  of  five  friars  ;  its  prior,  Eugene  Cogly,  is  one  of  the  best  preachers  in 
the  Kingdom."    25th  Septr.,1671,  to  the  Internuncio. 2 

It  is  clear  that  the  Dominicans  had  no  church,  since  Oliver  Plunket  makes  no 

reference  to  it.    It  remained  therefore  for  Primate  Mag-Vidhir  to  raise  such  a  church 

during  the  period  of  toleration  that  the  Catholic  religion  enjoyed  in  1689.  The 

date  falls  well  within  Primate  Mag-Vidhir's  reign,  as  he  ruled  the  Archdiocese  from 

1683  to  1707, 

There  can  scarcely  be  any  doubt  that  the  date  1689  is  the  true  one.  The  only 
Enghsh  kings  to  whom  the  initial  letter  J  belongs  are  John,  James  I.  and  James  II., 
and  it  was  only  in  the  reign  of  James  II.  that  a  year  '89  fell.  1689  was  the  remark- 
able 3^ear  in  his  reign  in  which  his  Parliament  at  Dublin  was  held  and  in  which  he 
began  the  struggle  against  William  III.  to  retain  the  Kingdom  of  Ireland. 

1.  Vide  "  Memoir  of  0.  Plunket,"  by  Cardinal  Moran,  p.  266. 

2.  Vide  *'  Memoir  of  0.  Plunket,"  by  Cardinal  Moran,  p.  66. 

T.  GOGARTY,  C.C. 


COUNTY    LOI'TH    ARCH.l- (n,()(;  UAL  JOURNAL 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCHAEOLOGICAL  JOURNAL 


21 


ERHAPS  the  most  interesting  place  mentioned  in  the  Tain  is  vSHeve- 
Faughan — the  meeting-place  of  Maeve  and  Ciichulliii,  where  terms 
of  peace  were  discnssed  so  unsuccessfully. 

"  Fergus  and  Maeve  went  down  into  Glen  Faughen 
To  meet  Cucullin  :   and  across  the  glen 
Maeve  looked  upon  Cucullin,  and  her  mind 
Tortured  her  greatly  on  that  day,  because 
No  more  than  a  fair  adolescent  youth 

He  seemed  to  her  to  be  In  anger 

Then  on  each  side  they  parted  from  each  other 
Leaving  Glen  Fauhan." — Mrs.  Huttotis  version. 

/J)  Nor  did  things  improve  when  MacRoth  the  herald  had  to   report  his 

^    interview  with  Cuchullin.    "  I  found,"   MacRoth  replied. 

'•  An  awe-inspiring,  angry,  glowing  youth. 

Between  Glen  Faughan  and  the  sea." — Mrs.  Hntton. 

The  circumstances  surrounding  Cuchullain's  appearances  on  Faughan  are 
sufficiently  picturesque  : 

"  In  that  night  a  heavy  snow 

Had  fallen,  so  that  all  the  fifths  of  Erin 
Were  with  that  snow  as  one  white  level  floor  : 
Then  down  between  Glen  Faughan  and  the  sea 
Cucullin  came  for  sunlight  and  for  wind." — Mrs.  Hntton. 

"  Then  Cuchullain  came  there  and  stood  on  a  height  and  shook  his  spears  and  his  sword 
before  them,  so  that  great  dread  came  on  them." — Lady  Gregory  s  version. 

There  "  himself  and  Leag  were  playing  a  game  with  their  casting  spears," 
when  Fergus  sought  him.  It  was  from  Faughan  he  kept  sleepless  watch  and  ward 
on  the  invaders  of  his  loved  Muirthemhne,  fighting  there  most  of  his  Homeric  single 
combats.  It  was  from  Faughan  he  came  down  to  the  greatest  of  his  x'ictories,  the 
Great  Breach  of  Muirthemhne  ;  after  which  he  slept  his  three  days'  sleej)  : 

"  So  Cuchullain  fell  asleep  there  and  then  by  the  grave  that  is  in  the  Lerga,  and  no  wonder 
in  that,  for  he  had  been  fighting  since  before  the  feast  of  Samhain  [to  the  feast  of  St.  Mrigid) 

without  sleep  unles«  he  might  sleep  a  little  while  beside  his  spear  in  the  iniddic 

of  the  day,  his  head  on  his  hand,  and  his  hand  on  his  spear  on  his  kiu;e."  .    .    .    .  "  So  he 
slept  for  three  days  and  three  nights." — Lady  Gregory's  version. 

Surely  this  touching  picture  of  a  soldier  would  be  hard  to  ri\  al. 

Such  bits  of  the  little  literature  that  belongs  to  Slie\'e  I'"aughan  should  gi\-e  us 
an  interest  in  identifying  the  place. 

These  events  happened  just  after  Maeve  passed  into  Cooley  at  Atli-iia-Carpat. 
So  one  would  expect  the  scene  of  such  exploits  to  be  easily  identified.  Hut  owing 
to  the  loss  of  the  Irish  language  in  Louth,  almost  every  place-name  in  the-  'l\uii  is 
a  puzzle.  Mrs.  Hutton,  in  her  notes  to  her  splendid  version  of  the  Tain,  tivats  of 
Faughan.  vShe  failed  to  find  any  trace  of  the  name  in  the  district.  Wlien  lirst 
reading  the  Tain  (in  English,  unfortunately)  an  echo  of  the  name  came  l)ack  to  me, 
as  applied  to  Tipping's  Mount  or  Trum])et  Hill,  when  I  was  curate  there  thirty  years 
ago.    This  made  me  in(iuire  of  persons  -one  of  whom,  Pat  Ric'.\  of  I)iil;irg\-.  is  still 

D 


22 


I'AIMIIIAN    AND    I'JU)  LIC I :  K . 


alive~as  to  llic  Irish  iiamc  ot  Ti  iiiii])(  t  Hill.  II  was  ^ivt-ii  at  once  as  I'^mj^haii, 
wit  !i  t  ln'  1 1  lie  1 1  isli  1  )i(  )iiiiiu-iat  ion.  ( )nc  ()t  my  in  lor  ma  ills  (-ailed  il  ( )('hain.  lUil  none 
lu  aid  .)!  { ;ieii-(  )eliain.  To  It-st  the  mailer  Inrllier  Mr.  Riee,  leaeher  of  I\'in^diart 
st  lu)t»l.  maili'  in{|uirii'S  lately  for  nie,  and  found  live  ])ersons  wlio  say  that  they  well 
ri  ini  inhei  Trumpet  Hill  railed  I'\au^han  till  recent  years.  Then  ( ilen-C )chain  would 
he  thr  \  alle\  of  ihe  l)i-er-Park  ri\'er  between  Proleek  and  Trum])et  Hill.  On  this 
llu(>r\-  ».\ielnillin  had  a  splendid  stage  on  which  to  a})})ear  "  between  (Men-Ochain 
and  {\\v  sr. I."  It  is  not  so  easy  to  reconcile  this  ex])ressi()n  with  Mrs.  llutton's  idea 
that  tiu'  \  alle\'  of  the  Castletown  Cooley  river  may  ])e  (Men-Ochain,  Truni])et  Hill 
beini;  Dnimemia,  as  she  found  it  marked  on  Mercator's  map,  and  vSlieve-na-glogh 
being  l^uighan.  lUit  the  fact  of  the  name  still  surviving  in  the  locality  and  the 
suitabilit\-  of  tlie  site  to  the  ev  ents  represented  seem  conclusive  in  favour  of  Trumpet 
Hill  being  I%uighan. 

Regarding  Proleek,  two  remarks  may  be  permitted.  The  Cromlech  andOiant's 
C.rax  e  being  so  close  together  always  suggested  to  me  that  the  Giant's  Grave  is  the 
connnon  pit  where  the  rank  and  file  who  fell  in  some  battle  of  the  Tain  were  buried — 
the  Cromlech  l)eing  the  grave  of  a  chief.  Is  not  that  the  state  of  things  that  would 
be  found  after  a  battle  in  our  own  days  ? 

The  name  Proleek  seems  still  to  puzzle  people.  Yet  a  very  simple  account 
of  it  was  given  me  thirty  years  ago  by  a  resident  who  spoke  only  English.  He  said, 
Bro-attna  (the  adjoining  townland)  is  the  fort  of  the  whins,  and  Proleek  is  the  fort 
of  the  stones.  Bro  and  Pro,  he  said,  are  the  same  word.  Irately  I  have  been  assured 
by  a  great  Irish  scholar  that  my  old  friend's  explanation  is  so  true  as  to  be  self-evident. 
The  P  of  old  Irish  is  the  B  of  modern.  So  Proleek  is  a  very  old  form,  as  becomes  the 
name  of  a  place  where  sleep  the  mighty  dead  of  the  Tain  Bo  Cuailgne. 

In  the  Name  Books  of  the  Ordnance  Survey  there  is  given  "Proleek  :  prolic, 
brolic,  mill  stone  "  :  and  there  is  added  with  the  initials  of  O'Donovan  :  "  Bruising 
or  grinding  of  flagstones,  J.O'D."  Again  there  is  added  :  "  brod-lic,  a  quern  or 
small  mill  stone."  O'Donovan  had  a  sharp  pen.  When  he  found  Tipping's  Mount 
called  Trumpet  Hill  his  comment  in  the  Name  Book  is  "  Trumpet  Hill  (pig),  J.O'D." 

After  Faughan,  the  most  interesting  I^outh  name  in  the  Tain  is  "  Brisleach 
Mhor  Mhaighe  Mhuirthemhne,"  translated  as  "  The  great  Breach — or  Battle — or 
Defeat  of  Mhuirthemhne."  The  Brisleach  Mhor  has  three  different  meanings, 
(i.)  It  is  the  greatest  battle  of  the  Tain  fought  in  Louth.  Although  called  the  Great 
Breach  or  Defeat  of  Muirthemne,  it  was  in  reality  the  great  victory  of  Muirthemhne ; 
for  it  was  the  greatest  triumph  of  Cuchullin  over  the  forces  of  Meave  in  Louth  ;  it 
was  the  defeat  of  the  Four  Provinces  of  Ireland  invading  Louth,  and  not  of  the 
Louthmen,  as  the  name  might  suggest  at  first  sight  ;  (2.)  The  Brisleach  Mhor  is 
a  tract  or  book  or  MS.  giving  the  Tale  of  the  Battle;  and  (3.)  it  is  the  site  of  the 
fight  or  the  dun  around  which  the  battle  raged.  Only  the  last  meaning  need  concern 
us  here  for  the  present.  The  name — Brisleach  Mhor — is  no  longer  to  be  found  : 
the  only  hope  of  finding  the  place  seems  to  be  by  stating  the  problem  of  it  and  leaving 
the  solution  to  some  lucky  chance. 

"  Then  the  men  of  Ireland  made  their  camp,  and  put  up  walls  at  the  place  called 
the  Great  Breach  on  the  plain  of  Muirthemne." — Lady  Gregory'' s  version,  p.  214. 

This  was  certainly  after  the  crossing  at  Ath-na-Carpat,  and  so  it  must  be  north 
of  Dundalk.  Cuchullin's  attack  on  this  fort  seems  to  have  been  one  of  the  last  of 
the  great  fights  for  which  he  used  to  descend  to  the  plains  from  his  eyries  amongst 
the  Louth  mountains.    Or,  as  Mrs.  Hutton  has  it  :— 

"  On  the  low  foot  hills  of  Cooley 

In  his  own  natural  country  he  awaited 
Those  hosts  of  Erin,"  p.  225. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   AF^CH.F.OLOCx ICAL  JOURNAL. 


23 


He  seems  to  have  descended  for  this  fight  from  Duhirgy.  after  his  thnc-  da\s' 
sleep.  "  by  the  grave  that  is  in  the  Lerga." — Lady  Cve^orv. 

^Irs.  Hutton  says,  "  He  slept  upon  the  gra\-e  hill  in  the  Larguew" 

Other  forms  of  the  word  are  gi\-en — e.g..  "  Lercaih."  Dulargy  seems  the 
only  place  name  at  all  to  approach  these  varied  spellings,  and  to  lit  in  with  the 
events.  Laeg  saw  "  the  man  of  the  Sidhe,"  when  coming  to  ]nit  Cucluillin  Mito 
his  deep  sleep,  "  coming  through  the  camp  from  the  North-Kast  "  (Lady  dregorv) 
unseen  by  the  enemy.  Now,  if  the  Lerga  be  Dulargy,  the  Brisleach  Mhor  shouhl 
be  on  the  Ballymacallet  mountains.  But  the  Brisleach  Mhor  had  another  name, 
which  may  either  help  or  confound  one  the  more.  In  the  fight  around  the  dun 
Cuchullin  disposed  of  his  foes  so  artistically  that  they  lay  in  death,  "the  soles  ol 
the  feet  of  three  to  the  necks  of  three  other  men.  in  a  circle  all  around  the  Dun  out- 
side, and  Seisreach  Brislige  is  its  name  in  the  Tain." — O'Loonev's  version,  p.  iSo. 
Seisreach  is  a  derivative  of  Sechair,  meaning  a  bed  of  six.  But.  "  Geacair  "  or 
"  Seachair  "  was  the  name  of  the  head  of  the  tide  w^ay  where  the  pass  across  w  as 
at  Ath-na-Carpat.  So  one  would  be  inclined  to  identify  the  Brisleach  Mhor  with 
the  great  fort  in  Mountpleasant  demesne,  part  of  which  has  been  cut  away  ])y  the 
road  where  the  high  wall  is  south  of  Ballymascanlan.  Or  could  it  be  the  great  lost 
fort  of  Bally-na-hattna,  which  is  such  a  delightful  feature  of  Wright's  Louthiiina? 
Wright  calls  it  a  Temple.  Man}'  inquiries  led  the  present  writer  to  belie\-e  that  all 
trace  of  it  was  lost  for  ever,  but  to  his  astonishment  Mr.  Andrew  Markey,  of  Dundalk. 
whose  traditional  knowledge  of  names  and  places  is  unrivalled,  related  how  he  used 
to  hear  old  people  curse  the  persons  who  cleared  away  a  great  fort  or  Tein])le  in 
Bally-na-hattna,  at  the  building  of  the  railway.  Mr.  Markey  too  called  it  a  Temple. 
He  described  it  as  consisting  of  three  great  half  circles.  Inside  the  third  circle  was 
a  building  or  altar  from  which  Bael-tinne  or  the  Mouth  of  Fire  addressed  the  people 
on  May  Day.  The  circles  were  walls  of  great  stones,  some  of  which  are  now  built 
into  the  railway  at  the  valley  North  of  the  bridge  crossing  the  road  from  the  Annies 
to  Do^de's  fort.  Mr.  Markey's  description,  which  is  given  from  notes  taken  during 
the  conversation,  was  so  vivid,  as  to  suggest  the  question  had  he  seen  the  fort.  But 
no.  he  had  only  heard  old  people  describe  it.  Then  his  account  corresponded  so 
strangely  with  the  illustration  in  Louthiana,  as  any  one  can  see  by  comparing  his 
verbal  description  with  the  reproduction  of  Wright's  illustration  which  is  such  an 
ornament  to  the  Journal  of  1907,  that  the  question  was  asked  had  he  seen  the 
fort  in  Louthiana  ?  But  no,  he  had  never  seen  Louthiana,  nor  did  he  know  what 
it  was.  So  ^Ir.  Markey's  tradition  confirms  Wright's  idea  of  a  Temple,  and  agrees 
in  an  astonishing  fashion  with  W'right's  illustration  of  the  fort,  aiul  ])laces  it  just 
where  it  ought  to  be  in  Bally-na-hattna  at  the  Valley. 

But,  back  to  our  problem.  Alas,  if  the  Lerga  be  Dulargy.  neither  the  fort 
of  Mount  Pleasant  nor  of  Bally-na-hattna  could  be  the  Brisleach  Mhor.  The\'  are 
both  vSouth  of  Dulargy  instead  of  North-East. 

l'".\l)A. 


24 


Compiled  by  James  Coleman,  M.R.vS.A.I.,  Cork. 

[The  following  list  is  intended  to  show  at  a  glance  the  printed  works  dealing 
with  the  history,  topography,  biography,  folklore,  etc.,  of  the  above  four  counties 
that  have  so  far  been  published.  It  is  an  advantage  in  many  ways  to  know  what 
works  of  this  class  have  already  appeared  in  print,  and  it  will  serve  further  to  show 
what  a  great  deal  yet  remains  to  be  done  towards  illustrating  the  history,  &c.,  of  the 
many  other  places  in  and  persons  connected  with  these  counties  of  which  nothing 
as  yet  has  appeared  in  a  permanent  printed  form.  Other  items  it  is  hoped  will  be 
added  to  the  above  by  persons  better  acquainted  with  these  counties  than  is  the 
compiler  of  the  present  list.] 

I^OUTHIANA  :     OR  AN   INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  ANTIQUITIES  OF  IRELAND,  in  Upwards 

of  ninety  views  and  plans,  &c.,  lyouth  only.    By  Thomas  Wright ;  ist  ed. 

Dublin,  1748  ;  2nd  ed.  London,  1758. 
Memoirs  of  the  Family  of  Taaffe,  of  the  Counties  of  I^outh  and  Sligo,  1828. 
An  Essay  on  Patriotism,  with  Legends  and  Stories  of  Louth,  and  Songs. 

By  Joseph  Cartan,  Drogheda,  1839. 
A  Picturesque  Guide  to  Carlingford  Lough  anid  the  Watering  Places  in 

ITS  vicinity,  including  notices  of  Armagh,  Drogheda,  Dundalk,  &c.,  Dublin, 

1846. 

*CucuLAiNN  OF  MuiRTHEiMHNE,  by  Lady  Gregory,  London,  1904. 

*  Bassett's  County  Louth,  1886. 

*  The  Cattle- Raid  of  Cualnge  (Tain  Bo  Cuailgne)     Translated  by  L-  W.  Faraday 

(Grimm  Library  series),  London,  1904. 
BoYNE.    The  Beauties  of  the  Boyne  and  the  Blackwater,  by  Sir  WilHam  R.  Wilde. 

1st  ed.  Dublin,  1849  ;  2nd  ed.  Dublin,  1850. 
Mellifont  Abbey  in  the  County  Louth.    Its  Rise  and  Downfall,  2nd  ed., 

Dublin,  1890. 

—          Its  RmNS  and  Associations.    A  Guide  and  Popular  History,  Dublin,  Duffy, 

*  The  items  marked  with  an  asterisk  has  been  kindly  supplied. 


COUNTY   LOTTH   ARCH.IIOLOGICIAL  JOURNAL.  2^ 

Drogheda.  The  WOiole  Proceedings  of  the  Siege  of  Drogheda.  l^y  Xidiolas 
Brennan,  London,  1642  ;  Dublin,  1736. 

 History  of  the  Siege  of  Drogheda.    By  Sir  Henry  Tichbournc.  Dublin.  1724. 

*   Directory  of  Drogheda,  by  MacCabe,  1830. 

*   History  of  Drogheda,  by  L.  C.  Johnston,  Drogheda,  iSzh. 

  Original  Letters,  by  Cromwell,  ed.  by  Johnston,  1834. 

 The  History  of  Drogheda,  with  its  Environs,  and  an  Introductory  .Memoir 

on  the  Dublin  and  Drogheda  Railway.    By  John  D'.\lton,  Dublin,  1N44. 
 The  History  of  Drogheda  up  to  Date,  with  Memoirs  of  Dr.  Plunkct  and 

Cardinal  Logue,  &c.    Published  by  A.  Hughes,  Drogheda,  1893. 
DuNDALK.    The  History  of  Dundalk  and  its  Environs  from  the  Earliest  Period 

to  the  Present  Time,  with  Memoirs  of  its  Eminent  Men.    By  John  D'Alton 

and  J.  R.  O'Flanagan,  Dublin,  1864. 
*  Survey  and  Report  on  the  Woods  and  Plantations  on  the  Instate 

OF  THE  Earl  of  Roden.    By  R.  M.  Stirling,  Dublin,  1826. 

*  Brett's  History  of  Dundalk. 

*   Tempest's  Dundalk  Almanacks,  from  1861. 

*   Roden  Title  to  Dundalk — circa  1839. 

County  Meath.  Statistical  Survey  of  the  County  Meath,  with  a  Short  Historical 
Introduction.  By  Robert  Thompson,  of  Oatlands,  Dublin  vSocietv,  Dublin, 
1829. 

  Antiquities  of  the  County  of  Meath.    By  F.  Grose,  with  the  Annals  and 

Records  of  the  County  by  John  D'Alton,  Dublin,  1833. 
 History  of  the  Diocese  of  Meath  :  Ancient  and  ^Modern.    By  Rev.  A  Cogan, 

3  vols,  Dublin,  1862-67-70. 
 The  Angling  Excursions  of  Gregory  Greendrake  (J.  Coad),  in  the  Counties 

of  Wicklow,  Meath,  Westmeath,  Longford  and  Cavan,  with  Additions  by 

Geoffrey  Greydrake  (Thomas  Ettingsale),  4th  ed.,  Dublin,  1832. 
Meath  Hounds.    Annals  of  a  Record  Season  :  being  a  Diary  of  Sport  with  the  Meatli 

Hounds  during  1895-6.    By  Wanderer,  Dublin,  1897. 
Book  of  Kells.    Photographic  Reproductions  of  the  Finest  Specimens  of  Celtic 

Ornament  in  this  famous  manuscript,  Dublin,  1892-5. 
 The  Book  of  Kells.    A  Lecture,  by  F.  O.  Westwood,  with  illustrations, 

Dublin,  1887. 

LouGHCREW,  Notes  on  the  Prehistoric  Cemetery  of  Loughcrew.  By  Geo.  Coffe>'. 
With  19  Photographs  o^  Sepulchral  Cairns,  R.I. A.  Trana.,  1897. 

Newgrange.  On  the  Tumuli  and  Inscribed  Stones  at  New  Grange,  Dowth,  and 
Knowth.  By  Geo.  Coffey.  With  6  large  Lithographic  Plates,  and  many 
text  Illustrations.    4to,  sewed.    R.I. A.  Trans.,  1892. 

*  North  Meath  Election  Petition  :  Verbatim  Report  of  the  Trial  at  Trim,  i>i()2, 

Dublin  {Irish  Daily  Independent  Office),  1892. 

*  South  Meath  Election  Petition,  ditto. 

*  mion-CAinc  nA  ITli-Oe  A^uf  lllAX)  (Meath  and  Ulster  Phrase  Book),  by  p.  C)  V.uX^t .wt,. 

*  ScAcfAn  CAijAn  cSiatjaiI.    (An  old  popular  song  gathered  from  Ulster  and  Meath 

traditions),  by  J.  H.  Lloyd,  Dublin,  1905. 
SlanE.    Historical  and  Genealogical  Memoirs  of  the  I\-imily  of  I'leming  of  Slane. 

Co.  Meath.    By  Sir  William  Betham,  1829. 
Tara.    History  and  Antiquities  of  Tara  Hill.    By  George  Petrie,  IvL.I     Dublin,  1M37. 
The  Last  Princes  of  Tara  :  A  Sketch  of  the  O'Hart  Ancient  Royal  I-'amily.  By 

John  O'Hart,  Dublin,  1873. 


*  The  items  marked  with  an  asterisk  has  Ix-eii  kindly  sii pplicvl . 


2()         |;li;|,|()(,iv.\l'll\    oi     'llll".   COCN'I'II^S   Ol"    LOl'TIl,    MICATIl,  litC. 

'I'uiM.    Soim-  Nolirc  (.1  the  Cliuicli  ot  St.  ratiick  :i1  Tiiiii.     \'>\  I)c-;iii  ]'>iill('r,  7  rim, 

  Some  Notice  of  the  C;isllc  ol'  Tiini.     l»y  Dean  liutlcr,  Tnm,  :',r(l  edition 

I  SS  I- 

  Notices  of  the  Castle  and  Iveelesiast ieal  lUiildin^s  ol  Trim.     I'>y  Dean  Jiuller, 

DiihliiL 

 A  Memoir  of  the  Very  Rev.  Richard  lUillcr,  Dean  of  Clonniacnois  and  Vicar 

of  Trim.     Hy  his  Widow.     Privately  i)rinted  iSOj. 
 A  Raml)le  Round  Trim,  amon^  its  Ruins  and  Anti(iuities,  with  Notices  of 

its  Celebrated  Characters  from  the  Ivarliest  Period  (illustrated),    By  l^ugene 

A.  Conwell,  Dublin,  iHy^. 
 Remains  of  the  Most  Rev.  Charles  Dickinson,  lyord  Bishop  of  Meath,  with 

a  l^iographical  vSketch.    By  Rev.  G.  West,  D.D.,  London,  1845. 
DisC()\  I':kv  oI'  the  Tome  (W  Oij.amh  Fodhla,  Ireland's  P'amous  Monarch  and  lyaw- 

maker  upwards  of  3,000  years  ago.    By  Eugene  A.  Conwell,  M.R.I. A., 

Dublin,  1873. 

Cf'TXTv  Westmeath.  The  Book  of  Surveys  and  Distribution  of  the  Estates  in  the 
County  of  Westmeath,  forfeited  in  the  year  1641.  By  J.  C.  Lyons. 
Privately  printed,  Ladiston,  1852. 

 Ancient  and  Modern  Sketches  of  the  County  Westmeath — Historical,  Traditi- 
onal, and  Legendary.    By  James  Woods  (2  vols.),  Dublin,  1890. 

 Annals  of  Westmeath.    By  James  Woods,  Dublin  (Sealy),  1907. 

 The  Dead  Watchers  and  other  Folk  Tales  of  Westmeath.    By  Patrick  Bardan, 

Midlingar,  1901. 

 Athlone.    The  vShannon  and  Lough  Ree.    By  Professor  G.  H.  Stokes,  D.D., 

with  Local  Directory  by  John  Burgess,  Dublin,  1897. 
 The  Early  Haunts  of  Oliver  Goldsmith.    By  the  Very  Rev.  Dean  Kelly, 

Dublin,  1905. 

*  Athlone.    Account  of  the  Seige  of,  by  an  English  Officer,  London,  1690. 

C'TXTY  Longford.    Historical  Notes  and  Stories  of  the  County  Longford.  By 

James  P.  Farrell,  Dublin,  1886. 
 History  of  the  Countv  Longford  (illustrated).    Bv  James  P.  Farrell,  Dublin, 

1897. 

*  Records  relating  to  the  Diocese  of  Ardagh  and  Clonmacnoise.    By  Very 

Rev.  Dean  Monahan. 

 Edgworthstown  :  Memoirs  of  Richard  Lovell  Edgworth.     Begun  by  himself 

and  concluded  by  his  daughter  Maria  Edgworth,  London,  1821.  Richard 
Lovell  Edgworth  ;  A  Selection  from  his  Memoirs.  Edited  by  Beatrix  L. 
Tollemache,  London,  1896.  Memoirs  of  the  Abbe  Edgworth.  By  C.  S. 
Edgworth,  London,  1815.  Letters  from  the  Abbe  Edgworth,  with  Memoirs 
of  his  hfe.  By  Rev.  T.  R.  England,  1818.  Life  of  Miss  Edgworth.  By 
Helen  Zimmern,  London,  1883.  A  Study  of  Maria  Edgworth,  with  Notices 
of  her  Father  and  her  Friends.  By  Grace  A.  Oliver,  Boston,  U.S.A.,  1882. 
Life  and  Letters  of  Miss  Edgworth.  By  A.  J.  C.  Hare,  London,  1894. 
Life  of  Miss  Edgworth.    By  Hon.  Miss  Emily  lyawless,  London,  1905. 

Granard.    Memoirs  of  the  Earls  of  Granard.    By  Admiral  the  Hon.  John  Forbes. 

Edited  by  George  Arthur  Hastings,  Earl  of  Granard,  K.P.,  London,  1868. 

*  The  items  marked  with  an  asterisk  has  been  kindly  supplied. 


COl^NTY   LOrTM    ARCH.T- OLOGICAL  JOTRNAI. 


27 


iltUatuc  in  Ctlicxtc  ^IrcaiU)* 

ATHER  Gooakty's  ddighllul  paper-  "  The  lUiiial  IMacr  ni 
St.  Fainchea  " — is  worthy  of  attention,  both  for  its  Htt-raiy 
attractiveness  and  the  ingeniousness  of  its  reasoning.  ( )ne 
would  like  to  agree  with  Father  Go^arty  were  it  onh-  lor  the 
beauty  of  the  legends-  he  has  garnered.  Would  that  there  were 
hope  of  seeing  the  same  good  work  done  lor  e\ery  aneient  -ite 
in  Louth.  vStill  neither  his  general  line  of  argument,  nor  the 
particular  proofs  he  advances  seem  to  conxdnce.  Nor  yet  does 
)  I  he  give  sufficient  attention  to  the  arguments  in  la\-()ur  of  Fuinseog. 
fO|  The  general  line  of  reasoning  adopted  makes  too  great  a  call  on  tlie 

imagination.    To  substitute  Enda  or  Fainchea  for  Denis  without  absolute 
jj/  proof  cannot  be  done  wdth  success.    vSimilarity  of  legends  is  a  dangerous 
jjl    argument,  as  writers  have  ever  applied  ])icturesque  stories  to  their  o\\!i 
^(j^  heroes  ;  and  in  the  lives  of  the  Irish  vSaints  it- is  done  again  and  again.    W  hat 
mere  likely  than  that  Enda's  own  people  should  know  the  story  of  the  stone 
boat  of  Aran,  so  dramatically  given  anew  in  our  own  day  by  Archl)isho]) 
Healy,  and  apply  it  to  a  local  saint  ?    Ferrard  was  not  only  Enda's  own  territory, 
but  his  mother  was  a  daughter  of  its  sub-king.    "  Enda  of  Aran  :  his  mother  was 
a  daughter  of  Ainmire,  King  of  Fir  Arda  " — Felire  of  Aenghus,  March  21st.  ]).  Ixiw 
Some  writers  confound  Fir-Arda  with  "The  Ards  "  in  Down..  Still  they  may  l)e 
right,  as  O'Hanlon  says — Xotes  ist  Jan. — That  the  copy  in  the  Book  of  lA'can 
reads  :    "  rig-na-harda."    Only  an  examination  of  the  genealogies  could  decide. 

The  feast  day  of  St.  Denis — 25th  of  September — must  distinguish  him  from 
Fainchea  and  Enda  for  aye.  Then  it  seems  quite  impossible  to  bring  the  men  of 
Meath  and  those  of  Eeinster  to  fight  at  Clogher  Head  in  Ulster.  Nor  is  it  easy  or 
indeed  possible  to  extend  Magh-Life  to  Drogheda  at  the  date  required  even  though 
it  touched  the  Boyne  in  the  days  of  Slaigne.  The  kingdom  of  Meath  cannot  be 
blotted  out  at  a  stroke. 

To  discuss  particular  arguments  :  Legavoreen  seems  to  mean  simply  the  hollow 
of  the  little  road.  "  Eeg  "  for  "  Eug  "  is  quite  a  common  form — see  Joyce,  on  Eocal 
Names.  An  instance  of  it  is  brought  to  mind  by  a  strange  word  of  Macpherson's, 
quoted  by  Mr.  Morris,  about  the  death  of  CuchuUain.  "  The  battle  s])rea(l  o\  er 
Eego."  vStrange  enough  just  where  Father  Quinn  and  Mr.  Morris  would  ])laee  the 
battle,  the  deepest  pool  is  yet  called  "  The  Leg,"  of  which  Eego  is  a  brave  poetic 
form,  whether  intended  or  not.  "  The  Eeg  "  is  nearer  Knockbridge  than  the  bog 
through  which  the  road  runs.  It  is  on  the  Ratheady  side  of  the  road  almost  ()pi)osite 
the  lane  way  to  Ballinclare,  but  is  hidden  from  view  by  a  high  hedge.  I'ifty  golden 
years  ago  it  was  the  scene  of  a  Christmas  morning  tragedy,  well  remembered  by  the 
present  writer. 

Wonderful  to  tell  there  used  to  be  in  those  far  off  days  snow  and  frost  at  Christ- 
mas, such  as  Cuchullin  had  to  face  on  I'aughan.  "  The  Leg  "  was  our  xouths' 
favourite  "  sliding  "  place,  its  reputed  bottomless  depths  gix  ing  the  neeessar\-  /rst 
of  danger.  Going  to  Mass  on  Xmas  morning  all  became  breathless  at  the  news 
that  at  an  unearthly  hour  there  had  ventured  on  the  ice  of  The  Leg  and  been 
swallowed  up  a  poor  weaver's  only  little  pig  ! 

Apart  from  derivation,  Legavoreen  in  Meath  could  not  be  the  ])laee  ol  tlie 
Bairre  of  the  extract  from  Aengus.    It  is  stated  distinctly  to  be  in  .Xrd  T'lad. 

But  most  important  of  all,  the  argument  about  St.  Bairre  founded  on  tiie  gloss 
to  the  Felire  is  groundless.  The  gloss  itself  is  anything  but  clear.  However,  the 
Roman  MS.  of  the  Felire  throws  light  on  the  matter.     It  reads  :  — 

"  Of  the  race  of  Brian  MacEochaidh  M.  was  r)airre  of  Corcach,  and  it  is  i)i 


28 


Kii.LAiNr:  IN  srji:\'i'.  f.ri:/\(hi. 


A(li;i<lh  Cill-Clocliair  or  at  I  )r()jj;liait  in  Aird-l'ladli  thai  his  festival  is  kept  :  or  it 
is  Ihr  least  of  'I'oiiiehadh  that  is  kept  in  Cill-Cloehair  at  Ard  (Had  on  this  day  with 
r>airie.  " 

So  till-  entry  eoiiceriis  St.  iMiihar  the  famous  of  Cork,  which  at  once  excludes 

idea  of  Hairre's  j^rave  stone-leacht  being  in  Drogheda  or  Clogher  Head.  At 
most  his  feast  was  celebrated  there  then,  as  it  is  now  in  Clogher  Head,  and  in  I'aughart 
too.  Hut  even  this  nuich  is  not  certain,  for  there  is  given  the  startling  choice,  that 
it  mav  ha\e  been  the  feast  of  vSt.  Tomchadh,  which  was  celebrated  at  Clogher  Head 
on  St.  I'inbar's  day.  So  in  a  Hash,  as  if  called  up  by  the  witch  of  Kndor, 
St.  Totnchadh  steps  out  of  the  crinkled,  speckled  skin  of  the  Leabar  Breac 
or  ol  the  I'elire,  a  masked  rival  to  luckless  vSt.  Denis,  more  formidable  than 
;i  whole  array  of  vSaints  Barrs,  and  Faincheas,  and  Endas,  and  Michaels.  In 
presence  of  vSt.  Tonichadh's  ghostly  form,  hovering  o'er  '  the  troubled  waters  "  of 
Clogher  Head,  one  feels  much  as  those  who  under  the  very  eyes  of  Job  would  be 
"  ready  to  rouse  up  Leviathan." 

Vet  there  is  no  need  to  despair.  In  the  next  century  a  great  Oaelic  scholar 
mav  arise  able  to  take  off  vSt.  Tonichadh's  Old  Irish  Mask  by  some  cunning  process, 
of  softening  T  into  D.  Then  St.  Donnchad  may  be  restored,  once  and  for  all,  to  his 
h)ug  disputed  throne,  and  as  there  is  "  Patrick  crown  of  Breagh  "  so  there  shall 
be  "  Donnchad  crown  of  Cill-Clochair  in  Ard  Ulad."  evermore. 

Xor  can  lyaragh-Munsey  bear  the  construction  put  upon  it.  The  genitive  of 
"  num  "  is  "  niuin  "  (see  Dinneen).  Killaine,  the  form  sought,  cannot  be  derived 
from  it  by  any  process  found  in  the  Irish  Grammar.  Although  the  wording  of  the 
passage  quoted  from  Colgan  is  against  the  idea,  still  it  strikes  one  that  he  intended 
to  derive  the  name  Killaine  from  his  last  phrase  : — "  ibi  etiam  duo  postea  fontes 
a{[uarum  viventium  eruperunt."  "  Fontes  "  is  the  only  word  in  the  extract  whose 
Irish  equivalent — Foinse— is  a  form  at  all  approaching  Fainche.  This,  too,  saves 
the  church  from  an  offensive  title  that  could  hardly  have  been  intended  by  the 
original  writer. 

Granting,  even  for  argument  sake,  Kilslaughtery  to  mean  "church  of  the 
>-outh  " — i.e.,  Enda — that  would  not  solve  the  question,  as  Killaine  is  not  the 
church  of  Enda,  but  of  Fainchea. 

On  the  other  hand,  Teampall  Fuinseoige  undoubtedly  represents  with  perfect 
accuracy  Kill-uinche,  Killainche,  or  Killaine.  For  certainly,  "  Fuinseoige  "  is  the 
ct)rrect  genitive  of  the  diminutives  of  Fuinnse,  an  ash  tree,  of  Fuinche,  the  proper 
name,  and  with  a  difference  hardly  noticeable  in  speech,  of  Foinse,  a  spring 
(see  Dinneen  for  last). 

Then  Father  Gogarty  leaves  out  of  consideration  some  questions  of  topography — 
e.g..  the  fact  that  Crimthain  lies  between  Slane  and  Collon,  adjacent  to  Fuinseog. 
whilst  it  is  cut  off  from  Kilslaughtery  by  the  broad  Boyne  and  an  extent  of  territory. 
Then  again  Killaine  is  described  as  on  the  borders  of  Meath.  "  Killaine  est  locus 
apud  montem  Breagh  in  finibus  Mediae  " — Acta  SS.  Colgan,  p.  4,  n.  13.  Further- 
more, it  is  placed  on  the  confines  of  Ulster  and  Meath.  "  Est  ecclesia  de  Killaine  .  .  . 
in  confinibus  Ultoniae  et  Mediae  " — Acta  SS.  Colgan,  p.  710,  n.  11. 

A  church  near  Black  Hall  could  hardly  be  said  to  be  on  the  borders  of  Meath 
or  on  the  confines  of  Meath  and  Ulster  divided  there  by  the  wide  mouth  of  the  Boyne, 
in  those  days  wider  still.  But  Fuinseog  is  in  Collon  parish,  which  is  yet  astride 
the  boundary  of  Eouth  and  Meath,  part  of  Meath  being  included  in  it.  The  division 
of  the  counties  is  there  only  a  small  stream.  So  well  does  Fuinseog  fit  into  the  con- 
ditions of  the  problem. 

It  is  Cogan  ("  Diocese  of  Meath  "),  not  Colgan,  as  stated  in  Enda's  former  paper, 
who  places  Killaine  in  Louth. 

Enda. 


COUNTY    LOUTH   ARCHAEOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


29 


^lacc  $lamc6  in  tire  ©oiuttn  of  goittlr. 

COMPILED  BY  MAJOR  GP:NERAL  F.  W.  STUBBS.  F.R.S.A. 


Abbrevtcations  used  in  this  List. 
A. — Bench  Mark  on  Ordnance  Map. 
Ann.  Q.M.— Annals  of  the  Four  Masters. 
Arch.  Mon.  Hib. — Arohdall's  Monaaticon  Hibernicuni. 
Bar. — Barony. 

C.  S.— Civil  Survey.    A  List  of  Parishes  in  M.S.  in  the  possession  of  iilayney  Townlev  Balfour,  Ksq., 

Townley  Hall.    Made  in  1657. 

D.  S. — Down  Survey  Map. 

G.G. — Wars  of  the  Gaedhil  and  the  Gaill. 
Inq. — Inquisitions. 

Inq.  P.M. — Inquisitions  Post  Mortem. 
J.O'D. — Dr.  John  O'Donovan. 
L.A.J. — Louth  Archseological  Journal. 
O.L. — Ordnance  Letters. 
O.N.B. — Ordnance  Name  Books. 
P.— Parish. 
T.L.— Townland. 

T.  and  S. — Taylor  and  Skinner's  Map  of  County  Louth. 
Trias  Thaum. — Trias  Thaumaturga. 


A 

Acareagh  T.L.,  Castletown  P. — 106a.  Ir.  37p.    Aca|i  |iiac,  Grey  Acre,  O.N.B.    No  remains  on  map- 
Aclint  T.L.,  Philipstown  P.,  Ardee  Bar.     Anaghclent,  Inq.  Car.  I.     Athlint,  D.S.    Aughdint,  T.  &  S. 
367a.  Sr.  34p.    Clinton's  Ford.   A  mount  on  summit  of  hill  overlooking  bridge  across  Lagan  river, 
B.M.  198  feet.    The  place  spelt  Athcliubh,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  812,  seems  to  be  the  same. 
Adamstown  T.L.,  Drumcar  P. — 311a.  3r.  33p.    No  remains  now. 

Adamstown.    Part  of  Williamstown  T.L.,  Kilsaran  P.,  D.S.,  also  C.S.,  where  it  contains  II I  a.  Ok.  (Jr. 

and  is  under  a  separate  entry. 
Adamstown.    C.S.  gives  this  as  Almondstown,  which  see. 

Aflane  represents  a  ford  across  the  river  Fane  near  where  the  bridge  now  stands.  Joyce  I..  'A.'yo,  in 
translating  a  similar  name  gives  it  as  At  trieAX)on,  "  Middle  ford."  It  exactly  corresponds  with 
this  place,  which  is  the  middle  one  of  the  tliree  old  roads  from  Dundalk  crossing  the  river  Fane  and 
leading  to  the  north  to  join  the  main  line  to  Drogheda.  A  writer  (Louth  Arch.  Journal,  No.  II., 
Vol.  I.)  dealing  with  this  ford  "  Bridge  o'fein  "  translates  it  "  Bri(lg(;  of  the  Wagons,"  wliich 
is  evidently  wrong.    The  word  has  no  relation  to  the  English  "  Wain  "  or  "  Wagon."" 

Aghaboys  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P. — '277a.  Or.  22p.  Acax>  bui-oe,  "yellow  field,"  O.X.li.  No  reiiiain.s 
on  map. 

Aghameen  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P. — 343a.  Ir.  37p.    Aca-6  mm,  "smooth  field,"  O.N.B.    On  h  Hpur  of 

"  The  Castle  "  a  Uttle  over  1200  feet. 
Aghbanavela  otherwise  Belarevin.    Inq.  Ballymascanlan  21  Jan.,  1(1()(».    The  latter  a  rivt^r  N   of  and 

not  far  from  Dundalk  on  the  Newi-y  road. 
Aghebillelobegan  at  Irish  Grange  T.L.,  Carlingford  P.    Inq.  Ardee  20  Jan,  1624,  and  2r,  Man  li.  162r>. 
Agheneloghan.    Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  813.    Same  as  Annaloughan. 

Aghenewre.  Inq.  Ardee  8  Oct.,  1629.  If  this  be  the  same  as  Tinure  the  meaning  would  be  the  "  field  " 
instead  of  the  "  house  of  the  yew-tree."     Both  might  have  been  in  use,  even  at  the  same  tiiur 

Aghereveen.  Inq.  Visct.  Moore,  Ardee,  27  Aug.,  1628.  Prol)ably  the  same  as  Agiumu-eii,  liallynias- 
canlan  P. 

AghnaskeaghT.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P.— 322a.  2r.  13p.  v\cai>  da  ^cAac,  '  Field  of  the  Hawthorn.'  O.N.B. 
A  cromleac  is  marked  on  the  Ord.  Map  close  to  hou.se  belonging  to  A.  X.  Sheridan,  K.m|..  but  there 
is  now  no  trace  of  it.  The  ground  is  covered  with  boulders,  remains  of  a  glacial  age.  On  a  riBing 
ground,  about  the  centre  of  this  T.L.,  A  312  ft.,  is  a  circular  ratli  ;  also  some  60  yards  from  it  an 
oblong  mount,  called  "Tom  Cami)beirs  Rath,"  in  whicli  is  a  souti^rrain .  — ( .Mi.s.s  li.  Stephen). 

E 


30 


I'l.Aci:  NAMi':s  IN  'nil".  codN'iv  oi  Lorrrn. 


Agneslon.     Ai.vn-ton,  A..  I,.  .M«u..  Mil...  IT.".,  177.     Appun-ntly  not  known  in  l.outli  V. 

Algh      \ii  li    M'>'i    III'',  •'^1-.  <()ii|il(il  uith  ( 'aiiiJiiuosKC'  und  ( 'arrickvoliin.     A  |)()Jir('n1  ly  noi  known 

AldroKha'n!"''liH|  L..r<i  Lnulli,  S  ,Sc|..,  I<i:{(».  "  (i  mcs'  and  I'^O  acr'  in  Knock  and  Aidrf^j/liun Sc(i 
Ai  di  (lU'lian 

AHardstOwn  T  I.,  DhhImh  1'  SS\.  'An  (H-..  O.N.I'..  In(|.  ('.u\.  d  Mar.  Al  lilanistownc  Iikj.  .lac.  1. 
McamiiL;  not  oKsioiis  I  lie  family  najnc  not  Itcinjj;  known. 

Allardstown  r  1-  ,  Killincoolc  IV  :.;>r)A.  Ok.  :{:{|'.,  O.N.Ii.  Oh-rHtown  'I',  S.  .Map,  1777.  A  mount  S. 
oi  the  road,  and  about  ;"):>(»  yards  from  the  W .  Lodge;  of  Fane  Vall(;y  lloii.sc.  Thi-,  field  N.  of  the 
road  and  near  the  j^atc  licais  the  old  name  of  Carraenshin.  South  of  tlic  same  road,  and  some 
.'{:?(»  \  ards  S.lv  of  Ihe  mount  is  a  cave.  Coolfed  is  th(;  name  of  a  spot  and  jsv(>u\}  of  houses  some 
;{.■{(>  \  ai'ds  olT  t  he  same  mount . 

Almond'town  T  L.,  (  lotdier  V.  :{7S\.  Ik.  311'.,  ()..\.P>.  hup  Jac  [.  Arch.  Mon.  Hih.  ilT),  477,  HKJ- 
.\()  i-cmaiiis  on  maii.     Deiivation  of  name  uncertain.  as  it  was  in  use  in  the  reign  of  .James  I- 

it  is  prol.ahlv  the  original  form,  and  ilu;  alternative  form  of  Adamstown  (which  see)  is  probably 
a  later  one. 

Alt  na  Willian  River,  (dcnmore  T.  L.,  Carlingford  P.  vMr  nA  miLLe<\n,  "Cliff  of  the  Mill."  This  though 
a  tentative  rei\(lering  seems  obvious.  A  confluent  of  the  Big  River  which  takes  its  rise  on  the  W. 
slopes  of  Slieve  Ft)ve- 

Altboy,  Hallyn\ascanlan  P.  Slz  bun')e,  "  Yellow  Cliff."  A  line  of  cliffs,  chiefly  on  the  X.  bank  of  a 
co'iitluent  of  ttie  Uallymakellett  river,  which  divides  the  F^allymakellett  and  Bellurgan  Townlands. 

Altfader,  Pampark  'r.L.,  l^allymascanlan  P.  Should  be  spelled  -fada.  AIt  ^axja,  "Long  Cliff."  A 
double  range  of  cliffs  running  nearly  N.  and  S.  on  the  southern  slope  of  Slieve  na  glogh  for  about 
200  yards. 

Altgarthan,     [n(i.  P.allymascanlan  "21  .Jan.,  I()06.    A  glen  through  which  runs  the  river  of  Abny,  * 

otherwise  Ballyboy,  bounding  the  Lordship  of  Ballymascanlan  on  the  east. 
Altlourish,  liallymakellett  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P.    Air  tAtbuAif,  "  Speaking  Chff,"  Joyce  II.,  p.  69. 

Some  cliifs  in  the  south-cast  end  of  the  townland,  about  1080  yards  from  Ballymakellett  Bridge. 

They  form  a  short  double  range,  and  the  name  may  be  derived  from  sound  reflected  as  an  echo 

iH'tween  them. 

Altmore,  .Jenkinstown  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P.,  "  Great  CUff."  A  stream  on  the  E.  and  S.E.  slope 
of  the  Black  Moimtain  (Round  Mountain,  A  884  on  the  6  inch  map)  between  contour  hnes  of  700 
and  4.")0  feet,  and  running  for  about  700  yards  through  boggy  land  ;  is  so  named  on  the  map.  But 
no  locks  are  delineated  thereon. 

Altpuca,  Ballymascanlan  P.,  "  Fairy  Clifif."  There  is  no  cliff  delineated  on  the  map.  The  name  is 
api'lied  to  the  ground  bordering  on  a  stream  dividing  Aghameen  and  Jenkinstown  Townlands 
running  tlown  an  open  ravine  on  the  S.E.  slope  of  the  Castle  (A  1265),  which  here  is  steep,  descending 
some  600  feet  in  700  yards. 

le  Amniffe.    Place  uncertain.    The  tithes  belonged  to  the  Priory  of  Louth — Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  479. 

les  Amys.    (Waste)  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  478. 

Anabologe,  Millgrange  T.L.,  Carhngford  P.    At  nA  bolAj,  "  Ford  of  the  Httle  heifer."    A  small  group 

of  houses  two  miles  S.  from  Greenore. 
Anaghclent. — See  AcUnt. 

Anaglog  T.L.,  Kildemock  P.— 373a.  1r.  17p.  Ar  tiA  CI05,  "  Ford  of  the  bells,"  O.N.B.  Athneglogg, 
Inq.  Ardee  23  April,  1633.  Tober  na  gankeenagh,  a  well  on  the  road  200  yards  W.  of  the  cross- 
roads.   A  well  200  yards  further  on — see  Athneglogg. 

Anaverna  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P. — 783a.  Is.  32p.  This  was  probably  the  same  as  the  designation 
of  the  neighbouring  Townland  of  Ravensdale  Park,  which  appears  on  Taylor's  and  Skinner's  map 
as  Aughavarn.  But  on  the  authority  of  the  proprietor  Dr.  O'Donovan  spells  it  as  above,  and 
gives  the  Irish  as  Ar  n,\  b-fTeAjiriA,  "  Ford  of  the  Alders,"  whereas  the  other  spelling  would  be 
rather  Acax)  riA  b-fTeAimA.  Both  are  given  as  representing  Aughavarn,  but  Dr.  O'Donovan 
does  not  decide  between  them  (O.N.B.).  It  seems  certain  that  both  were  formerly  one.  The 
boundary  line  runs  from  the  summit  of  Clermont  Carn  (A  1674  ft.)  to  the  Ben  Rock  (A  1330  ft.), 
thence  by  the  lower  end  of  Ravensdale  Park  to  the  Flurry  River,  to  its  junction  with  a  confluent, 
up  wliich  it  goes  to  the  top  of  the  ridge,  a  little  over  1300  feet  along  which  it  continues  till  close 
to  Clermont  Carn.  Remains  are  Clermont  Carn,  Ben  Rock  and  a  small  Mount,  300  yards  from 
S.E.  corner  of  Ravensdale  Park,  which  see. 

Anglesea  Mountain.  One  of  the  Carlingford  Range  (A  1349  ft.)  above  Omeath.  Called  after  the  Marquess 
of  Anglesea,  who  till  the  middle  of  last  century  owned  it. 

Anmoney  Lough,  Rampark  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P.    O.N.B.  calls  it  Lough  na  money  ;  but  it  is  very 

jr-  small. 

Anmore  Lough,  Loughanmore  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P.    A  small  one. 


*  This  word,  signifying  in  Irish,  a  river,  sometimes  is  given  as  its  name. 


COUNTY   LOTTH    ARCM  l-OLOGICIAT.  JOTRXAL 


31 


Annagassan,  Dillonstown  T.L.,  Drumcar  P.    <\r  ha  "  Ford  of  ihv  Patlis."    It  i.s  (Mmnccted 

by  name  with  the  neighbouring  townland  of  the  Linns,  as  it  is  also  called  C..\]\\u  Linne.  See 
Joyce  I.,  p.  373,  and  II.,  p.  488.  Also  Ware's  (J. (J.  Ixii.  note.  Dr.  'i'odd.  in  the  lust  (juoted 
authority,  gives  another  derivation:  vXouac  s;-Cv\pAn,  "  Fair  of  CaHaii,"  hut  tlu-  fornier  is  in  every 
way  preferable — see  Linns. 

Annagh  T.L.,  Louth  P.  CAnoc  Marsh.  There  are  now  two  divisions  of  this  townland  — thai  on  the 
east,  containing  19Ia.  2r.  34p.  is  termed  Annagh  .M'Cann's,  being  the  property  of  .\rthui-  Macau, 
Esq.,  of  Drumcashel  in  this  County.  The  otlier  is  Annagli  l>oltotrs,  containing  |.")()a.  <ii:.  I  le  . 
named  from  the  Bolton  family.  It  is  called  Bolton's  Tate.  T.  &.  S,  The  bogland  of  wludi  they 
consist  drains  into  Cortial  lake  on  the  E.,  l)ruin(^ih  on  the  \V..  and  Toprass  in  the  middle.  "  Tlie 
Annaghes,"  described  as  waste  (Arch.  Hib.  .Mon.,  p.  812)  evidently  r(>fers  to  these. 

Annagh  T.L.,  Philipstown  P. — 73a.  1r.  24p.  O.X.B.  gives  tlu-  Irisli  as  Cauac,  a  marsli.  but  this  d(H;s 
not  seem  applicable,  as  this  small  townland  consists  of  a  hill  about  KM)  feet  above  the  river  1/il;.ui, 
which  here  forms  the  County  boundary. 

Annaghanmoney  T.L.,  Louth  P.— 62a.  2r.  Op.  The  parish  given  in  the  ().X.P..~t'\\n ac  An  monA  is 
not  satisfactory.  The  T.L.  consists  of  a  double  eminence  on  tlie  S.W.  edge  of  the  Pvod  Bog^an 
extensive  marsh. 

Annaghminnan  T.L.,  Louth  P.— 65a.  1r.  28p.  eAUAc  imonAn,  "  Marsh  of  the  Kids."  The  property 
of  A.  Filgate,  Esq.    O.N.B.  Inaghmynan.    Inq.  Nic.  Gernon  9  A\)n\,  1624.  and  2()  .Man  ii.  l(;2r>. 

Annaloughan  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P. — 334a.  Sr.  19p.  Dr.  O'Donovan  reads  it  as  ('ahac  ah  loe.xin, 
Moor  of  the  Small  Lough."  Agherloughaine  and  Aghlowghan  in  Couley,  Inq.  13,  Jae.  I.  .-Xgliano- 
loghan.  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  813.  It  forms  part  of  a  mountain  of  the  same  name.  The  small 
lough  from  which  it  takes  its  name  is  outside  the  \V.  boundary  in  Rampark  T.L.  It  e.xt+Mids  nearly 
two  miles  from  the  seashore  into  the  mountains  over  the  reverse  slope  of  Atnialouglian  .Mount, 
and  its  greatest  breadth  is  along  the  shore  less  than  600  yards.  There  is  a  rath,  and  the  remains 
of  another,  X.  of  the  railway  at  the  S.W.  end.    Seefin  rock  is  a  little  to  the  east  of  the.ni. 

Annaloughan  Mt.,  Ballymascanlan  P.    A  868.    Lies  W.X^.W.  of  Slieve  na  glog,  of  which  it  forias  a  part. 

Annaghvacky  T.L.,  CVeggan  P. — 369a.  2r.  33p.  eAUAc  a  bACAij;,  "  The  Beggarnum's  Fair,"  O.X.P.. 
Two  mounts  near  the  N.  side  ;  another  abovit  140  yards  S.W.  of  Roachdale  House. 

Annies  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P.— 129a.  Or.  IOp.  The  Anneses,  John  White,  21  .Marcli.  HVMk  and 
9  Aug.,  1638.    GAnAf  beAj  and  eAtiAC  vno]\,  O.X.B. 

Aperthuel.  In  Dromiskin  Townland.  Both  spelling  and  etymology  of  this  name  are  uncertain.  Tlie 
name  occurs  in  a  lease  held  now  by  Mr.  Patrick  M'Enello,  of  Dromiskin.  See  Down  R.  Sor.  .Ant. 
Irel. 

Archinlochane,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  428.— Not  identified. 

Ardagh  T.L.,  Melhfont  P.  in  O.N.B.  ;  TuUyallen  on  the  Ord.  Map— 120a.  1r.  31p.  Ap-o  acaV).  "  High 
Field,"  O.N.B.  But  in  the  M.S.  List  of  Faniily  Gentry  in  the  County  (circ  16 — ),  by  Brent  Moore, 
we  find  "  Thomas  son  of  Patrick  Ardaghe,  of  Little  Ardaghe."  Patrick  may  have  taken  the  name 
of  his  property.    No  remains  on  the  map. 

Ardagh  Islaundye.  In  Hacklinn  T.L.,  Kildemock  P.  This  name  occurs  in  In(p  Kdward  Xugent  (Inq. 
Lov.).  Ardee,  2  June,  1626. 

Ardaghy  T.L.,  Carlingford  P.  (Omeath  Eccl.  P  )— 438a.  2r.  24p.  Ap-o  acai),  High  Field."  J.  O  D. 
O.N.B.  It  runs  up  to  a  height  of  1400  feet  between  the  summits  of  .Vnglesea  Mountain  and  ( 'lermoni 
Carn.  A  small  village  of  the  same  name  lies  towards  the  east-centre  at  an  elevation  of  between 
500  and  600  feet  ;  a  rath  to  east  of  it. 

Ardballagh.    Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  pp.  449,  812.    Close  to  the  town  of  Ardee. 

Ardballan  T.L.,  Clonmore  P.— 342a.  Or.  12p.    Ap-o  bAlAn,  "  Hill  of  the  Wall."  O.X.B,.    About  :}()(» 

yards  S.E.  of  the  village  of  Ardballan  is  "  Ardballan  Moat,"  a  Ardballan  Moat,  a  small  moiuit. 

A  153.    Nearer  the  village  is  what  must  have  been  a  tolerably  large  rath. 
Ardbolies  T.L.,  Rathdrumin  P.— 197a.  2r.  19p.  ;  A|it)  buAlitj.    The  latter  word  signifies  a  place  wh(;ro 

cows  are  kept  ;  Joyce  II.,  p.  238.    Inq.  Christopher  Verdon,  7  March,  1624.    T.  &  S.  has  Ardbally. 

No  remains  on  Map. 

Ardee.  A  Townland,  Town  and  Parish.  T.L.  is  only  80a.  Or.  25p.  ;  i-;  on  the  S.  bank  of  the  river  Dee. 
and  the  only  building  connected  with  the  town  within  its  limits  is  tiie  Union  Workhouse.  Toun- 
y^arks.    T.L.  takes  in  all  of  the  town  itself. 

The  name  of  the  town  Atherdee  is  very  old.  i:epT)iA,  takinu  us  back  to  the  time  wiieii  |  'uchullain 
•slew  his  brother  in  arms,  after  a  three  days  fight,  as  related  in  the  '•  Tain  Bo  Ciiailgtie." 

A  monastery  for  the  Crouched  Friars  of  St.  Augustine,  was  foiuided  by  Roger  de  Peppard  about 
1207;  another  later  on  by  Ralph  de  Peppard  for  Carnu-lites.  One  of  these  was  where  tlie  Pro 
testant  church  now  stands  and  where  the  "  College  "  once  stoo  I.  The  oth.T  in  John  Stre.-t  on  the 
site  of  the  present  Roman  Catholic  church. 

There  are  three  fine  castles  :  one  in  the  Main  Street  — Ralph  de  Pep[>ardrt  -is  now  the  Sessiotis' 
Hou.se;  another  to  the  north  of  it  on  the  same  side  of  the  way  is  the  residence  of  .Mrs.  HiUeh  ; 
a  third  in  the  grounds  of  Ardee  House. 


32 


F'LAri-:   NAATI':S    IN   TIIK   COUNTY  OF  LOtlTH. 


ArdlaruKhan  'IM>..  Mosstown  IV     101  a.  2k.  :\H]\  A|n)  lA)iArAii,  (J.N.H.     No  n^inaiiifj  on  (nap. 

Ard  na  cloch  mor.  In  ( 'iirric^kodrnondT.r..  K  side  of  Kilourry  rivor.  Tlicre  wan  a  remarkable  group 
of  stones,  which  the  holder  of  i\w  land  roole<l  up  Homv.  70  years  ago  (Mr.  O'C^oririan,  of  Kilcurry). 
Wright,  in  Loiithiana  III.,  p.  H,  descrilxw  them. 

Ardpatrick  T.li.,  l.ont.h  I*.  \'Ma.  Ik.  :M)p.  :  Patrick's  Hill.  In  the  "  Triffartit*'  Life,"  p.  277,  we  see 
th.it  this  |)lare  was  associated  closely  with  the  part  of  th(5  life  of  Saint  Patrick  ijnm(;diately  before 
liis  heaving  l-oiith  for  Armagh.     "  Patrick  went  into  Ard  Patraie  to  the  east  of  Louth,  and  he 

d(Nsired  a  cloistf.r  there  Patrick  used  to  come  everyday  from  the  eawt  tr  Ard  Patraie  and 

Mo(-htae  from  the  west  from  Louth,  so  that  they  came  together  for  conversation  at  Lece  Moehtae 

(Mochta's  llagstone]  Patrick  delivered  to  Moehtae  the  twelve  lepfirs  whom  he  left  at  Ard 

i>atraic  Thereafter  Patrick  went,  at  the  Word  of  iho  Angel,  to  Armagh." 

The  remains  of  a  sinall  church,  very  ancient,  hidden  by  brushwood  may  be  seen  on  the  summit 
of  the  hill  A  204,  a  few  liundnMl  yards  S.IO.  from  the;  town  of  Louth.  This  may  well  be  the  spot 
where  SS.  Patrick  and  Mochta  sat  and  conversed,  while  the  monks,  some  12(K)  yards  away,  wen; 
at  work  superintending  the  building  of  a  monastery,  ever  afterwards  to  bo  associated  with  the 
nam(>  of  the  latter. 

Ardroghan.  Tnq.  Oliver  Baron  of  Louth,  25  April,  102-.  "  120  acr.  in  Knocke  and  Ardroghan."  Ad- 
joining apparently  ono.  of  the  many  names  in  Louth  beginning  with  Knock — see  Aldroghan. 

Ardsallagh.  A  farm  land  in  Salterstown  T.L.  and  P.  Salterstown  is  also  known  a«  Ballysallan,  so  it 
is  (evidently  a  corrui)tion  of  Ardsallan.  It  can  hardly  have  any  reference  to  the  Irish  word  signifying 
osiers  (.Joyct^  II.,  p.  357).  which  grow  in  low  ground,  and  the  word  Ard  would  be  inappropriate. 

Ardtully  Beg  and  Ardtully  More  T.L.,  Carlingford  P.  ;  E.S.E.  of  Bush  Railway  Station.  The  first 
contains  53.4.  2r.  33p.  ;  the  second  99a.  2r.  3p.  Dr.  O'Donovan  (O.N.B.)  confirms  the  Irish  as 
v\|n)  rulAij;  mo]i,  "  Great  Hill,"  which  is  a  puzzle — the  hill  being  absent.  The  highest  point  in  it 
is  141  feet,"  only  60  feet  above  the  lower  ground  in  Ardtully  Beg.  In  his  remarks  on  Tullakeel, 
rionkeen  P.,  Dr.  O'Donovan  says  :  "  Wherever  the  meaning  of  '  Tulach  '  is  not  understood, 
the  peasantry  explain  it  by  '  Talamh  land.'  " 

Arthurstown,  Tallanstown  P.  There  are  two  townlands  of  this  name.  The  larger,  502a.  3r.  31p. 
Archerstown  in  Sir  W.  Petty's  map.  Much  Arthurstown,  Inq.  Edward  Taaffe,  of  Cookstown,  in 
Dundalk.  7  March,  1624.    Arthurstown  House  is  in  it. 

Arthurstown  Little  separated  from  it  by  Mullamore  T.L.,  contains  73a.  2r.  36p.  Before  1304 
the  tithes  of  both  belonged  to  the  Preceptory  of  Kilsaran. 

Artnalevery  T.L.,  Charlestown  P. — 278a.  3r.  5p.  O.N.B.  gives  the  Irish  as  ^jit)  riA  teibjie,  "  Hill  of 
the  Hares,"  and  says  that  the  Irish  name  when  these  reports  were  written  (circ  1830)  was  t)Aite 
An  borAiii,  "  Town  of  the  road." 

Artoney  T.L.,  Louth  P. — 147a.  1r.  ]5p.  x\|it)  CAmriAc,  "  High  field,"  pronounced  A\\  ■co■nA^•^,  O.N.Bs 
Inq.  24  Nov.,  1640,  a  very  good  mount  within  the  grounds  of  the  former  Rectory. 

Ash,  Louth  P.  ;  two  T.L's.  Ash  Big  is  the  smallest — contains  144a.  2r.  38p.  On  the  summit  of  a  hill 
(A  209)  over  200  feet  high  is  a  mount,  where  a  handsome  prickspur  was  found. — (Jour.  R.  Soc. 
Ant.  Ireland). 

Ash  Little  contains  191a.  Or.  18p.,  but  is  not  so  high.  It  also  has  a  mount  on  its  highest  point. 
Popular  leports  connected  these  mounts  by  a  subterranean  passage  with  Cortial,  more  than  a  mile 
to  the  north — utterly  impossible.  The  Irish  word  is  Aif  (a  hill,  O'Brien's  Diet.).  Probably  the 
same  as  Es-Ahys  granted  to  Richard  Cook,  the  King's  groom  in  fee  farm.  Close  Rolls,  and  Inq.  P.M. 
Calend.  Doc.  Irel.,  Nos.  36,  197  and  291. 
Ashefleld.  A  plot  of  15  acres  in  Ardee,  belonging  to  the  Hospital  of  the  Crouched  Friars. — Arch.  Mon. 
Hib.,  447,  449  and  812. 

Ashvllle.    Name  of  a  house  and  grounds  in  Funshog  T.L.,  Collon  P.    The  site  of  an  old  church— not  a 

parish  one — is  outside  the  grounds  to  the  east. 
Athclare  T.L.,  Dunleer  P. — 271a.  3r.  2p.    So  spelt  Inq.  Jac.  I.  and  Down  Survey.    "Ford  of  the 

plank,"  Joyce  II.,  223.    Dr.  O'Donovan  pronounces  it  Aclare,  O.N.B.    A  very  good  castle  here, 

adjoining  the  house.    In  Brent  Moore's  "  List  of  the  County  Gentry,"  Nicholas,  son  of  Robert 

Taaffe  is  the  owner. 

Ath  na  fhearta.  In  a.d.  607,  Aedh  Uairidnech,  and  in  817,  Aedh  Oirdnidhe,  both  kings  of  Ireland 
died  here  (Ann.  Four  Masters),  in  Magh  Connaille  in  or  near  the  County  Louth.  The  name  means 
either  Ford  of  the  two  graves,  or  the  of  two  miracles — probably  the  first.  Its  position  (or  the 
river)  is  not  known. 

Atherdee — see  Ardee. 

Ath  na  Carpat,  "  Ford  of  the  Chariots."  Mentioned  in  the  "  Colloquy  of  the  Ancients,  "  translated 
by  Mr.  Standish  O'Grady  in  "  Silva  Gadelica,"  pp.  160-161.  See  Louth  .Arch.  Journal,  No.  II., 
pp.  33-35.    Near  Dundalk. 

Athneglogg.  Inq.  Nic.  Hussayc  (for  Christopher  Taaffe).  "  Vil  de  Athneglogg.  Arthurstown,  Rath- 
biddy  al.  Little  Arthurstown." 

Atrium  Del.  Hall  of  God  is  the  Latinized  name  for  Ardee  in  various  documents,  Lodge's  List  of 
Parishes,  Receipt  Rolls,  etc. 

Aughavarn — see  Anavema. 

Aughclint— see  AcUnt. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH.T- OLOGICAL  JOURN  AL. 


33 


B 

Babesland.  In  or  about  1020  there  were  three  of  the  Babe  family  holdinu  land  in  the  County  of  l.ouih. 
Walter,  of  Ardoe,  who  owned  part  of  Walterstown  T.L..  Droiniskin  P.;  James,  of  l)ar\ri-,  who 
held  Gibstown  (Palmer)  T.L.,  Haynestown  P.;  and  Patrick,  of  Dromiskin.  Inq.  ^^  Aui£  .  H>_'7  ; 
•2-i  Sep  ,  1G35  ;  and  18  March.  1644.  To  Viscount  Moore  were  <j;rant<'d.  amon^'  otiier  possessions 
of  the  Priory  of  S.  Mary,  Louth,  the  tithes  of  Babeston  and  Babesland.  Inc|.  27  Aue;.,  1028.  'I'hch.- 
two  were  separate  holdings.  The  C.S.  list  mentions  Babesland  as  part  of  (iibstown  Palmer.  Bab.-s- 
ton  would  therefore  appear  to  be  the  same  as  the  present  Xewtown  Babe  T.L..  liallybarrack  P., 
though  indeed  -land  and  -town  are  almost  interchangeable. 

Babeswood  T.L.,  Dromiskin  P.— 100a.  Or.  25p.     Belonged  to  James  Babe  of  Darver.    No  remains. 

BaggOtstown  T.L.,  Rathdrumin  P.— 1()5a.  Or.  251'.  The  name  derived  from  one  of  the  Baggot  fanulv. 
but  about  1600  held  by  Do wdalls  and  Uernons.  In(|.  8  Jan.,  Kili*  ;  —  June,  1(»20  ;  !»  April,  I  f,_'  i  ; 
26  March,  1635.    No  remains. 

Bailyland  T.L.,  Louth  P.,  S.E.  of  Louth— 34a.  2r.  20p.    No  remains. 

Baily  Park  T.L.,  Parish  of  S.  Peter,  N.  of  Drogheda— 28a.  Or.  4p.    No  remain.=<. 

Balachrath,  D.8.  Map.    Now  Rath  and  Lower  Rath  T.L.,  Carlingford  P. 

Balbresk,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  476 — see  Balresk. 

Baldoyle  T.L.,  village  in  Banktown  T.L.,  Beauliou  P. 

Balfeddock  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P.— 116a.  Or.  31p.  bAiLe  ]:e.\-0()5^,  "  Town  of  the  Plovers  "  :  Joyc.'  I  , 
p.  486.    No  remains. 

Balgatheran  T.L.,  Tullyallen  P.— 402a.  1r.  16p.,  Ballygadren.     Lkj.  Vi.scount  Moore,  27  Aul'.,  I(._>^; 

A.M.H..  p.  488.    Had  belonged  to  Mellifont  Abbey. 
Ballabony  T.L.,  Clonkeen  P.— 272a.  2r.  20p.    be.\llAc  b.\ine,  "  Milky  road  or  pass,"  O.X.P..    A  small 

lough  drains  the  marsh  lands  in  this  and  Rathgeenan  T.L. 
Ballagan  T.L.,  Carlingford  P.,  east  extremity  of  the  promontory — 476a.  Or.  38p.,  also  the  ])oint  of  the 

land  here,  Ballylaggagh.    Inq.  Arthur  Bagnall,  29  Oct.,  lOth.    Jac.  I.  is  the  same  place.  .\o 

reraains. 

Ballaverty  T.L.,  Carlingford  P. — 214a.  Or.  39p.  An  irregularly  shaped  strip  of  land  from  the  top  of  the 
lower  summit  of  Barnavave  Mtn.  close  to  A  1022  to  Bush  Railway  Station.  b.Mle  nt  j-'l  vir- 
be^jirAij,  "  O'Flaherty's  town,"  J.O.D.'    A  small  mount,  and  a  rath  not  perfect  in  it. 

Ballemaconlan  al.  Ballyconnely.  Inq.  Visct.  Moore  27  Aug.,  1628.  Associated  with  Ballymascanlan 
and  Carrickarnan. 

Ballinaghlan-Bellinagha.  Inq.  John  Plunkett,  12  June,  1622.  Part  of  the  Manor  of  Bewley  (  Beaulieu). 
Ballentner,  A.M.H.,  p.  812.    One  of  the  possessions  of  Louth  Abbey,  associated  with  Carnanbreaga 

(Ballybarrack  P.)  and  Babesland,  which  here  appears  to  be  Newtown  Bal)e  (also  in  Ballybarrack  P  ). 

Not  indentified. 

Ballenehatten.    Inq.  John  Cashell,  7  March,  1624.    Evidently  the  same  as  Ballynahattin,  Dundalk  P  , 

though  O.N.B.  refers  it  to  Mullaghattin  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P. 
Balllgatheran,  A.M.H.,  p.  488,  Balgatheran  T.L.,  Tullyallen  P. 

Balligoan,  T.&  S.    A  small  village  S.  of  Ardee  Bog.    Not  to  be  confounded  with  Ballvgowan  T.L.  in 

Shanlis  P. 
Balliknok,  D.S.  Map.— Knockbridge. 

Ballimanen,  C.S.  List  in  Lordship  of  Ballymascanlan. — Not  indetified. 

Ballinclare  T.L.,  Louth  P.,  on  S.  border  of  Dunbin  P.— 51a.  1r.  18p.    Ballaclare,  D.S.  Map; 
An  cIai|i,  "  Town  of  the  board  or  plank,"  O.N.B.    No  remains. 

Ballinerly,  D.S.  Map.  Either  Ballinerty— Ballaverty,  or  else  Bally  na  iarla.  Earls  Quarter,  the  ad- 
joining T.L.,  S.  part  cf  Carhngford  P. 

Ballinfuil  T.L.,  Roche  P.— 370a.  1r.  12p.  bAile  An  poill,  "Town  of  the  hole  or  pit."  O.X.B.  A 
rath  named  Lisaclog  close  to  E.  side,  left  of  the  Dundalk  road,  site  of  a  fort  to  the  N  W.  Was 
it  here  S.  Patrick  left  his  bell  on  his  way  to  Armagh  ?    O.N.B.  has  note  to  that  efT(M  t. 

Ballinlough  T.L.,  Louth  P.,  E.  of  Knockbridge— 147a.  1r.  6p.  "Town  of  the  lough,"  O.N.B.  P.. it 
where  is  the  water  ?    No  remains. 

Ballinloughan  T.L.,  Louth  P.  Dundalk  and  Enniskillen  line  passes  through  N.  end.  A  rath  on  V\'.  sid.- 
near  a  farm  ;  not  marked  on  the  map — 211a.  3r.  34p. 

Ballinreask  T.L.,  Beauheu  P. — 49a.  3r.  7p.    "  Town  of  the  morass."     No  remains. 

Ballesolean.  Inq.  Christopher  Nugent,  19  Sep.,  1627.  Perhaps  the  same  as  Ballyfolane  huj.  .^ir  J. 
Bellew,  of  Bellewstown,  Co-  Meath.    C-S.  spells  it  -fiolan. 

Ballinteskin  TL,  Carlingford  P  — 607a  1r  35p  ,  -tesky  Inq  Arthur  Bagnell.  29  Oct,  10  Jac  I 
"  Town  of  the  sheskin  or  quagmire,"  J-O'D.  Occupies  the  X.  slope  of  the  centre  mountain  Cnrlirm- 
ford  range.    Its  S.  boundary  passes  over  the  summit  A  1330.    Three  small  forts  at  the  N-  end. 

Ballinurd  T.L.,  Barronstown  P.— 219a.  2r.  37p.  bAile  An  A^]\^>,  "Town  of  the  hill."  O.N.B.  Thin 
is  evidently  wrong.  It  ai)pears  on  the  D  S.  Maj)  as  Vordonntown.  The  f'.S.  List  gives  ite  acreage 
as  618a.  Or.  Op.,  so  it  mu.st  have  taken  in  some  of  the  neighbouring  T.L..  i)robably  Milltown.  CIcIh- 
and  Plaster.    BalHnurd  is  a  corruption  of  Bally  Verdon.    No  remains. 

Balloran,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  812,  Ballyoran,  Louth  P. 


IM.\(        NAMI'.S    IN    TIN'.    roiINTV   ()!■    LOII'I  II 


Ball'sGrOVe.S  M.n  v's  r  ,('umit  \  .md 'I'ouiM.r  Dio-dnla  Soul  1,  of  I  lie  lioyiic  "iCA  .  ."{k. -iTl".  l'.<'lonp;c(l 
to  \\u-  KmII  family. 

BallUR  T  L  ,  ( '.n  liiiL'foiil  I'.,  .tlxiu!  ,1  iiiilc  S.lv  of  I'.nsli  Hallway  Staitoii  I4Sa.  Oi{.  I.")|>.  This  and 
r.allihii'  aiv  usual  forms  of  the  uoid;  'I'.  S.  has  I'.oilci^'.  I»alrick  CaKhcll,  of  Duiidalk, 
hrlil  S(l  ariTs  of  the  kiiiLj,  ill  caiiilc.  Iii(|.  IS  ()<  f.,  HI.'}?.  Olivor  liOrd  Louth  held  l2()acn;sof 
Ailliui    I'.aL'Mcll.  •_'"»  April,  Ml--'      and  I  S  Sc|.  ,  I  diiO.     'i'hc  ruins  of  one  of  the  liagnall  Castles 

arc   h.iv.     S,c  I'.allvlatiUaKh. 

Ballybabdryth,  Ak  h  Mon.  llih.,  p.  HVA.  hlvidcntly  same  as  I'.aliyharrack.  In  I'iH.'}  Thcoljald  dc  Vcrdon 
was  granted  the  adxowsons  of  this  and  Dimdalk  church. 

Ballybailie  '1'  L  ,  Anlcc  !'  ',V2\\.  ;{k.  -?S|'  ().\.i'>.  ipiotcs  Down  Survey  for  Bally  honey,  hut  i\m  is  not 
on  the  ma|i.  bcAl  I  .\r  h.\)  I  I  c.\(),  liaillic's  roa*!,"  ().\.l>.  Dr.  ()' Donovan  docs  not  noti(;c  this 
and  may  have  allowcij  it.     Xo  r'(uiiains. 

Ballybarrack  'I'.L.  and  I'.  'I'.L.  contains  l'i.S\.  On.  lOr.  The  present  spelling  undouhtedly  dom  not 
re|  res(>nl  the  old  form  of  the  name.  In(|.,  CS.,  and  I-,odgc  have  it  -halriek,  -hallriek,  -varlick  ; 
llic  iirst  heinn  most  usual.  O.X.I?,  makes  it  -l)arraek,  because  "the  Duke  of  Berwick  oneampcid 
here  with  Kinu  .lames"  army."  Someone  remarks  thereon:  "This  is  fine  stuff;"  ho  barrack 
won  the  day.  .\  fort  near  )the  W.  side,  calk^l  in  the  O.L.  iiop  cnoc  a  pei|ie  ,  "  F'ort  hill  of  the 
colVms  or  biers,""  which  may  perha[)s  refer  to  a  (graveyard,  though  there  are  no  signs  of  one  now. 
The  remains  of  the  old  church  are  on  the  other  side  of  the  road,  near  Ballybarrack  House. 

The  parish  seems  io  have  been  impropriate  from  a  very  early  pc^riod.  The  entire  R.  and  tithes 
b<'longe(l  to  the  Monastery  of  S.  Thomas,  situated  in  that  part  of  Dublin,  afterwards  called  Thomas 
Court.  This  seems  to  have  been  |)art  of  the  grant  tnade  by  Nicholas  de  Verdon  in  120."),  A.IVI.H., 
p.  isr>.  It  was  granted  I'i  .March,  Kil  1,  by  fee  to  Sir  Edward  Fisher,  Kt.  In  1622  William  Bishop 
was  imjii-opriator.    Soon  after  it  passes  to  the  family  of  Draycot,  of  Mornington,  Co.  Meath. 

Ballybeney,  alias  Killiny,  Arch.  Mon.  Hil).,  pp.  470,  81.3.  Seems  to  be  the  same  as  the  next.  This 
is  its  name  in  the  C.8.  List  of  Proprietors.    Killiny  may  be  the  adjoining  T.L.  of  Edenakill. 

Ballybinaby  T.L.,  Roc^he  P. — 48r)A.  3r.  4p.  b.Mle  bume  bui-oe,  "  Town  of  the  Yellow  Bon  or  Peak," 
O  .X.B.     Ballybcnevey,  'V.  &  8.    Xo.  remains. 

Ballyboghill  at  Stifyan"s  Cross,  Mosstown  P. — T.  &  S.  Map. 

Ballybolrick — see  Ballybarrack. 

Ballyboni  in  Collon  P.,  S.  of  N^avan.  Collon  road,  nearly  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  Collon.  Bally- 
byna — T.  &  S.  Ma|). 

Ballyboys  P.,  Barony  of  Upper  Dundalk.  Given  in  the  plural  on  the  Ordnance  ^lap,  representing  in 
O.X.B.  two  parts.  Beg  and  More.  It  consists  of  part  of  the  T.L.  of  Bellurgan  —  1483a.  2r.  19p., 
extending  well  u})  into  the  mountains.  Xow  merged  with  the  Ballymascanlan  P.  The  name 
dees  not  occvu'  in  Lodge's  List  of  Parishes,  but  In({.  Patrick  Cashell,  Ardee,  18  Oct.,  1637,  mentions 
ViU"  de  Balleboye. 

Ballybragan  — see  Braganstown . 

Ballyburgan,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  ]>.  4(53,  says,  the  tithes  and  rectories  of  the  place  were  granted  to  Henry 
Draycot  at  the  Suppression  of  Monasteries  for  21  years.  At  p.  476  it  is  included  with  other  places 
in  the  Rectory  of  Faughart.    X"ot  identified  as  yet. 

Ballydonnell  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P. — 164a.  3r.  30p.    Xo  remains. 

Ballydorn.  A  couple  of  houses  N'.E.  corner  of  the  grounds  of  Dromin  House  in  the  T.L.  and  P.  of  that 
name.  Mr.  D.  Lynch  has  kindly  supplied  me  with  two  Irish  renderings  of  the  name.  One  seems 
to  be  appropriate.  Ballydorn,  he  says,  is  known  as  Thunder  Lane,  the  original  of  which  is  t)Aile 
r(')jK\n  (T)6|\.An  fotui,  coUoq. "thunder).    The  other  "  boundary  townland  "  cannot  so  well  apply. 

Ballygoly  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P. — 186a.  3r.  36p.  In  the  valley  between  Carliiigford  and  Slieve  na 
Ldou  mountains.  Dr.  O'Donovan  gives  bAiLe  goblAii;,  "  Town  of  the  forks."  See  Joyce  I., 
p.  .123. 

Ballygowan  T.L.,  Shanlis  P. — 313a.  1r.  26p.  bAiLe  ui  gob.xn,  "  O'Gowan's  town,"  O.X.B.,  but 
■■  Town  of  the  smiths,"  Joyce  I.,  p.  222.    Site  of  an  old  fort  S.W.  of  Ballygowan  House. 

Ballyheney,  Heney's  or  Heynestown  P.    Isaac  Butler's  Journal. 

Ballylaigh,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib,  p.  447.    .Mentionefl  with  other  places  at  or  near  Ardee. 

Ballylaggagh,  Inq.  Arthur  Bagnall,  Carlingford.  29  Oct.,  10th  year  Jac.  I.  Associated  with  Much 
(Grange  and  Ballaverty.     Probably  Baling,  which  see. 

Ballylargan,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  478.    Xot  identified. 

Ballymacles,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  47().    Tithes  belonged  to  Faughart  P. 

Bally  McColgan,  al.  McCoan,  al.  McColean.    Lodge's  List  of  Parishes  of  Armagh  Dio.  only  one  incumbent 

i:ientioned,  to  which  is  added  "  Quaere,  if  the  same  as  the  impropriate  rectory  of  CoUan." 
Ballymageragh  T.L.,  Cappoge  P.— 175a.   1r.  13p.     O.X.B.    makes   this   name   bAile  nnc  sejiAc, 

■■  Mac  (Gregory's  town,"  but  questions  if  it  should  net  be  nA  jj-cAOjiAC — i.e.,  Sheeptown.  But 

most  of  the  authorities  (juoted  ap})lied  the  former. 
Ballymaglane  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P.— 1o6a.  3r.  30p.    MacLaue's  Town.  J.O'D.,  Arch  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  813. 

Xo  remains. 


COUNTY   LOTTH    ARCII.i:c)L()(;i(\\L  JorRXAL 


35 


Ballymakellett  T.L.,  Ballymaseanlan  P.— 1  14Sa.  Or.  HSp.  It  nms  up  to  the  siimniit  of  "  The  Castle  ' 
A  I'il),")  on  the  oast  to  A  I.IGH  on  the  north.  hu[.  .Jac.  F.  and  Car.  I.  iienerally  c-all  it  Kllotstow  n. 
Dr.  O'Donovan  decides  on  MeKellett's  town.  O.X.Ii. 

The  remains  of  several  small  forts  or  mounts,  chiefly  in  the  vicinity  of  I'.allyuuikcllett  vilhiLfe 
are  marked  on  the  map.  It  may  he  remarkahle  that  hy  far  tlu^  greater  uumher  of  these  forts  iti 
the  mountains,  and,  indeed,  elsewhere,  w(>re  intended  for  the  protection  of  those  who  wen-  hordinLr 
cattle.  Some,  even  of  the  small  ones,  have  n  doul)l(>  enclosun>.  Only  when  th(>re  are  jiecnliar 
features  as  to  size  or  shape  will  it  be  necessary  to  desciihe  them. 

Ballymakenny  T.L.  and  P.  The  T.L.  contains  421  a.  Oh. -ifip  .  indudint^  11a.  Ik.  I  i-.,  a  detaclKxl  portion 
within  Philipstown  T.L.  and  P.  to  the  S.,-  O.X.H.  can  onl\-  dciisc  the  name  from  Kennv  or  Heeiiy, 
a  not  uncommon  surname.  O.L.  says  the  church  (winch  was  hnilt  \>y  Primate  Pvohirmon  when  th.- 
parish  was  separated  from  Beaulieu)  is  on  the  site  of  an  older  one,  which  .Mr.  Pati'ick  !{(•(>(!  i>f 
Carntown,  and  others  said  they  recollected. 

The  parish  was  appropriate  to  the  See  of  Armagh  as  far  hack  as  records  i/o,  i^od^e.  Inc).  .\rcli- 
bishop,  6  Sep.,  20th  Jac.  I.,  and  went  with  the  R.  of  Beaulieu  till  nuide  a  IVrpetual  Curacy  about 
1785.    Since  about  1810  it  has  had  its  own  Incumbents. 

Ballymaseanlan  T.L.  and  P.  The  T.L.  contains  211a.  1r.  ;Up.  MacScanlan's  Town,  O.X.H.,  .\t<  h 
Men.  Hib.,  p.  482.  The  large  cromlech  in  the  grounds  of  Ballymasi'anlan  House  (J'lolcck  T.L.) 
is  a  most  perfect  one.  It  is  referred  to  in  the  Annals  Q..M.  a.d.  1402  as  tlic^  Cloch  an  lihodaii.di. 
"  The  Churl's  Stone,"  however  it  got  that  name.  The  Manor  or  Lordship  and  I'arish  was  granted 
to  the  Abbey  of  Mellifont  before  1349.  The  ])arish,  therefore,  was  Im))ropriate.  The  T  L. 
of  Kilcurry  belongs  to  it. 

Ballymear  al.  Ballynemerry.  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  488,  where  it  is  associated  with  Mell  and  Shecpo-ranirc 
in  Mellifont  P 

Ballymothan.    Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  695,  quoting  King,  p.  305  :  "  John,  Abbot  of  .Molana.  Co.  W  alerford. 

had  commonage  of  pasture  here."    Xot  identified. 
Baile  na  claigeann.    In  the  S.  of  Carrick  Edmund  T.L.  close  to  the  chajjel  and  schoolhouse  of  Kilcurry 

there  was  one  of  the  stone  relics  of  old  days,  now  disappeared  like  many  others.    Mr.  OTTornum'. 

of  Kilcurry,  has  pointed  out  this  locality  to  me. 
Ballynagassan  T.L.,  Drumcar  P.— 174a.  1r  33p      bAiLe  nA  5;-c.\nAn,  "  Town  of  th(>  passes."  O.X.H. 

No  remains  now — see  Annagassan. 
Ballynagrena  T.L.,  Dysart  P. — 125a.  2r.  6p.    Town  of  tht  Sun,  O.X'^.B.    The  small  village  here  is  called 

Suntown.    No  remains. 

Ballynahattin  T.L.,  Dundalk  P.— 106a.  1r.  21p.    b.\ilc  tia  h-Aime,  O.N.B.,   "Town  of  the  furze  ^ 

Wright,  Louthiana  III  ,  p.  9,  shews  what  the  stone  circle  here  was  like,  but  its  very  site  is  now 

not  known — see  L.A.J ^o.  4,  p.  61. 
Bally  na  maghery  T.L.,  Carlingford  P.— 184a.  2r.  28p.    S.E.  of  Bush  Station.    bAile  ua  uiac At|ie. 

"  Town  of  the  plain,"  J.O.D. 
Bally  na  money.    There  are  two  T.L's.  of  this  name  in  Carlingford  P.    One,  B —  Bradshaw,  2  nnk>« 

S.S.W.  of  Greenore  contains  106a.  Or.  Op.    The  other,  B —  Murphv,  S.  of  (^reenore  contains  175a. 

3r.  2lP.    Town  of  the  Bog,  O.N.B. 
Ballyonan  T.L.,  Carhngford  P.    Nearly  two  miles  N.N.W.  of  King  John's  Castle,  contains  851a.  1r.  29p. 

"  O'Dunan's  Town,"  J.  O'D.    Mr.  O'Neill  thinks  it  may  have  been  so  called  from  some  O"  Dunans, 

Donovan  or  Downeys.      There  are  two  cattle,  raths,  single  enclosed,  one  larger  near  the  shore. 

Only  the  lower  part  of  the  T.L.  cultivated. 
Ballyoran  T.L.,  Louth  P.    About  a  mile  N.E.  of  the  town— 237a.  3k.  33p.    ".Oran's  Town."  O.X.I'.. 

X^o  remains. 

Ballypatrick,  Arch  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  488.    Belpatrick,  CoUon. 

Ballyregan  T.L.,  Killanny  P. — 88a.  Or.  32p.  No  remains.  There  is  also  a  farm  of  this  name  in  HraLran?;- 
town  T.L. 

Ballyshone,  Dromiskin  T.L.,  John's  town.  Between  village  and  railway  in  the  X.W.  angle  of  cross- 
roads.   Occurs  on  map  accompanying  deed  of  sale  of  Commons. 

Ballystuck  occurs  in  Lodge's  List  as  the  name  of  a  parish.  It  was  Ini{)ropriate,  (ieorge  (iernun  holdinL,' 
the  tithes  in  1622.    It  has  not  been  identified. 

Ballytrasna  T.L.,  Killanny  P.— 52a.  Or.  20p.    CVosstown,  O.N.B. 

Ballytrasna  T.L.,  Carlingford  T.— 36a.  2r.  23p. 

Ballytrufle,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  450.  .  Probably  somewhere  near  Ardee. 

Ballyvarn,  bAile  (nA)  bAipn,  "  Town  of  the  battle."  Occurs  in  T.  &  S.  .A  group  of  houses  in  Harnms- 
town  T.L.,  about  550  yards  E.  from  Hackballscross. 

Balmalangan,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  476.    Belonged  to  Sir  John  Plunk(*t,  Kt.,  in  1540. 

Balregan  T.L.,  Castletown  P. —  183a.  1r.  30p.  The  ruins  of  a  toh^rably  large  (  a.stle  are  close  to  the  xld 
Watorlodge  Mills  on  the  Kilcurry  river.  O.X.B.  gives  the  derivation  as  "  O'Kegan's  Town."  (  arc 
should  be  taken  not  to  confuse  this  T.L.  with  Newtown  Balregan  T.L.  in  the  same  panrth,  or  with 
Balriggan  in  Faughart  P.  Wright  spells  this  one  Balrichan  (II.,  p.  H)  in  describing  the  castle, 
and  also  in  III.,  ]>.  7,  in  describing  some  very  remarkable  pre-Christian  stone  circleH.  now  long 
since  cleared  away  by  some  iconoclast,  at  the  junction  of  the  Kilcurry  and  Cnstletown  rivers. 


I'LAci:  NAMr-.s   IN  TFii-:  ('oi;nt^'  ov  loutii. 


Balresk,  Ardi.  Mon    llil)..  pi'    IT'.t,  'I'liiH  mid  I'.al hicsk  (]>.  17*'.)  Jippfsar  to  Ix;  i\w  same  as  Ballin- 

rrusU.  ■l'«riiionfccUiii  IV 

BalrigRan  T.li.,  Kauj^liart  I*.-  -I.'JHa.  '2ii.  iJi'.,  indudiiig  a  small  (ictachcd  [)art  of  t\ni  KilcMirry  river.  A 
lolcraltiv  iar)4(»  moiinL  al)out  4(K)  yards  S.  of  Kilcurry  I'  ('l)iirf;li.  Fiiit  tlK^rc  was  another,  not 
now  existing,  from  wliicli  Fort  Mill  House  took  its  name,  which  was  ej(;ared  away  when  the  house 
was  l)uilt.  'I'he  Kev.  (Jcwvaise  'I'inley,  H(^ad  Master  of  tlie  Diindalk  S(;hool  till  1814  wiiteii  of  it 
(i.rfore  ISHi)  as  th(>n  existing  (Mason's  I'aroch.  Survey  II.,  p. 

Balrobin  T.L.,  Harronstown  I'.    214a.  '2k.  151'.     "  Hohin's  Town,"  O.N. 15. 

Balroddie.  Inci.  Nieh.  (Jernon,  4  April,  1(')24  (irange  de  Hulroddie  jiixta  Milltown,  associated  with 
othei-  places  in  Droirnskin  I*.     A  later  In(|.,  same  family,  (>  Scrp.,  tnentions  (irange  de  l^alroad 

of  .Milltowi\.     Not  now  known. 

Baltereston,  An  h.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  4ir>.     Same  as  Walterst.own  T.L.,  Dromiskin. 

Baltrasna  '1  .L  .  Anh-e  V.  -247a.  :}k.  21  i-. 

Baltrasyde,  Arch.  Mon.  Hih.,  p.  812.     Near  Ardee. 

Baltray  1  .L  .  Termonfc'ckin  IV — 438a.  2ii.  \)r.  A  village  on  the  estuary  of  the  river  Hoyne.  Some 
standing  stones  in  a  held  near.    Moaning  of  the  word"  Road  of  the  Strand." 

Baltray,  Areh.  Mon.  Hih.,  p.  47()-  Seatowne  de  Uroniiskin,  120  aeres.  Inq.  Nieh.  Gernon,  0  Sep.,  (5  (Uiil 
et  Mar  It  formed  part  of  the  possessions  of  the  Abbey  of  Dromiskin  and  afterwards  of  Louth. 
Sir  W.  Petty's  map  shews  a  castle  here.  Local  tradition  recalls  a  church  and  burial  ground  on 
.Mrs.  McCJuinness'  farm.  The  lower  part  of  one  of  the  walls  here,  3  feet  thick,  marks  the  site  of 
something.  It  may  have  served  as  a  look-out  |)ost  of  the  monastery  to  give  notice  of  Danes  in  the 
bay. 

Bankerstown  T.L.,  MuUary  P. — 08a.  Or.  28p.  O.X.B.  gives  no  meaning  for  the  name,  but  suggests 
tioi]'  bvin)e  as  one.  O.L.  says  there  is  a  fort  here,  called  Liof  Tliop  T)uix)e.  Part  of  it  is  very 
rocky,  and  appears  on  Sir  W.  Petty's  map  as  Cloghbolly,  O.L. 

Banktown  T.I-,.,  Beaulieu  P. —  186a.0r.  18p.  N.  bank  of  the  Boy ne  estuary.  A  small  village  ;  Baldoyle 
in  it. 

Barabona  T:L.,  Monasterboice  P. — 293a.  Or.  7p.  O.N.B.  gives  the  pronounciation  as  bA|i  a  boine, 
but  the  orthography  as  b6rA|i  a  bAine. 

Barmeath  T.L.,  Dysart  P. — 311a.  2r.  7p.  The  residence  and  demesne  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  Lord  Bellew. 
This  name  opens  a  very  interesting  enquiry,  carrying  us  back  to  the  days  of  the  great  cattle  raid, 
and  the  history  of  the  Tain  Bo  Cuailgne.  Messrs.  O'Neill,  O'Keeffe  and  O'Connor  make  various 
suggestions  as  to  its  derivation.  The  first  part  of  the  word  is  t)eA|inA  or  beAi|ine,  a  gap.  The 
second  is  trieA-oA  miT)e  or  neAX)bA,  and  it  is  added,  probably  by  Dr.  O'Donovan,  though  not 
initialled  by  him  :  "  this  name  is  too  well  estabUshed  to  undergo  any  change."  In  the  O.N.B. 
also,  under  Dysart  P.,  it  is  stated  that  the  name  was  called  by  Irish  speaking  people  beAijiriA  beA5;A, 
gap  of  the  bull  rushes,"  pronoimced  like  b-^eAtJA,  the  eA  being  short  e,  and  x)  guttural.  How- 
ever, Dr.  O'Donovan  elsewhere  says  Louth  Irish  is  not  to  be  depended  upon.  The  Ordnance 
Letter  proceeds  :  "  Some  say  there  was  formerly  a  gap  in  the  townland  called  bcAjinA  neA-obA,  i.e., 
.Meva's  Gap."    This  is  the  well-known  name  of  the  Queen  of  Connaught,  who  led  the  raid  into  Louth. 

Barminrath.    Inq.  Patrick  Dowdall,  Newtown,  1  Jan.,  13th  Jac.  I.    Probably  Barmeath. 

Barnattin,  "  Hill  top  of  the  Furze."  A  small  village  in  Killineer  T.L.,  between  the  Red  Mountain 
and  Coolfore  Hill. 

Barnavave  A  1142.  The  most  easterly  of  the  Carlingford  range  of  mountains  has  been  given  this  name 
in  the  O.N.B.  That  in  the  Irish  is  beAji-oA  f>1ei-t">be,  recalling,  as  so  many  other  places  do,  the 
memory  of  the  Queen  of  Connaught  in  the  Tain  Bo  Cuailgne.  Meave's  Gap — where  this  gap  is, 
and  to  what  event  in  the  story  it  refers  is  not  quite  so  certain — see  Louth  Arch.  Journal,  No.  II., 
p.  92,  and  No.  III.,  p.  9o.  The  hill  is  described  as  uncultivated  and  very  rough.  It  is  curious 
that  this  place,  as  well  as  Barmeath,  should,  rightly  or  wrongly,  be  given  the  same  meaning. 

Barnaveddoge  T.L.,  Dromin  P. — 93a.  3r.  27p.  "  Hil!  top  of  the  plover."  Remains  are  two  standing 
stones,  one  on  the  border  of  Toberdoney  T.L.  ;  the  other  close  to  the  road  between  it  and  MuUa- 
curry.    Also  a  part  of  a  mound. 

Barn  Hill.    A  field  in  Termonfeckin  T.L.,  part  of  the  grounds  of  Rath  House. 

Barronstown  T.L.  and  P.  T.L.  contains  o12a.  3r.  22p.  The  name  may  have  come  from  the  rank  of 
Baron,  held  by  the  de  Verdons,  who  were  the  first  English  owning  this  part  of  the  country.  Of  all 
the  T.L.  m  this  parish  none  appear  in  any  Inq.  in  the  Repertorium  Canell:  Hib.  or  quoted  by  Arch- 
dall.  The  T.L.  has  two  mounts,  a  low  fiat  one  near  Hackball's  Cross,  and  a  small  one  near  Bally- 
varn  (T.  &  S.). 

The  P.  at  first  had  its  own  church,  but  its  ])osition  after  the  coming  in  of  English  settlers  made 
it  subject  to  continual  troubles.  Andrew  Keppok  is  the  first  recorded  Incumbent  (1410-35)  ;  but 
by  1622  this  R.  and  that  of  Kane  were  not  valued  in  the  King's  books,  for  that  they  were  waste 
upon  the  borders.  After  this  these  two  parishes,  with  Roche  and  Philipstown  Nugent,  formed  one 
cure.  Lodge. 

Baskervill  Rath  al.  Mooreton.  Nieh.  Gernon  held  it  of  Richard  White,  p.  fidelitat.  Inq.  9  April  1624. 
Bosgravile's  Rath  al.  Moreton.  A.M.H.,  ]i.  47<)  :  Ba'shford  Rath  al.  Conrath,  C.S.  List;  Conrath, 
D.S.  map.    In  Dromiskin  P.    Formerly  belonged  to  the  Baskerville  family. 


COl^NTY   LOUTH    ARCH/EOLOGICAL  JOUKXAL 


37 


Batts  land  T.L.,  Dimleer  P.— 49a.  Oh.  14:'.  Tho  Rev.  \V.  Butt.  Vi(  ar  of  Colloii  ITlif)  and  H.-ct.-r  ..f  liar- 
ronstown  1778,  owned  land  lioro. 

Bavan  T.L.,  Carlin^ford  P.— 502a.  3r.  "22?.  In(|.  Aiihiir  Baiznall.  29  Oct..  10  .lac  I.  Hawnc.  b>\V)b 
■oiin.  '*  a  cattle  enclo.sure,''  J.  (YD.  Remains  arc  :  A  rath  on  tlic  side  of  the  road  ov»t  tlu-  mount- 
ains ;  another  at  tlie  N.R.  boundary  ;  a  third  in  the  S.K..  near  the  R viand  river,  ch^e  li.  which  is 
a  very  small  mount. 

Bawn  T.L..  Mansfieldstown  P.— 218a.  3k.  2()P.    Same  word  as  I'.avan.     Held  l>y  Kdward  Phiiikctt. 

who  died  circ  1593.  of  John  Taaffe.    In(i.  22  April.  1()33.    .\ftcrwards  tli(>  propcrtv  of  the  'I'lsdidl 

family,  and  now  of  Chas.  B.  Marlay,  Km\. 
Bawntaaffe  T.L..  Monasterboico  P. — 2S()a.  1r.  2Sr.     .\  small  \  illai^c  ('a\an.  S.  of  whii  li  arc  the  rcnuiin.-N 

of  a  church. 

Beaulieu  T.L.  The  T.L.  contains  4()5a.  3r.  33p.  The  Latin  form  of  the  name  occurs  as  l^cllns  i^o'^us. 
There  was  a  family  of  de  Beaulieu,  of  Thistlt>thwaite,  in  Cum !)erland.  temp.  I"!d\\  .  ill..  frMm  which 
Sir  E.  T.  Bewley,  LL.D.,  &c.,  descends,  and  this  name  occurs  in  various  I  nip  The  fauuU  ot  IMunkctt 
owned  it  from  a  very  early  period.  John  Plunkett,  the  first  of  the  name  here,  died  at  liculcx-. 
3  Ausust,  1082  (Lodge's  Peerage,  Vol.  VL).  William  Phnik(>tt,  only  three  years  old  at  his  father's 
death — 31  August,  1622 — forfeited  the  lands  after  the  rebellion  of  1()41.  Sir  William  Tichl)ourne 
purchased  them,  and  from  his  family  they  passed,  through  the  female  line,  to  tiiat  of  .Montgomery, 
the  present  owners. 

The  parish  can  trace  its  incumbents  regularly  from  the  year  13(1!>  down  to  nearly  tlic  present  time, 
when  it  was  united  to  Termonfeckin. 

There  is  a  good  rath  in  the  grounds  of  Beaulieu  House,  and  the  suburban  village  of  Queensborough 
is  in  the  T.L 

Beghelstown,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  450.    See  Poghillstown. 
Begrath  T.L..  Tullyallen  P. — 521a.  3r.  23p.    No  remains  on  ma]). 
Belachrath,  D.S.  Map.    N.  part  of  Grange  Irish  T.L.,  Carlingford  P. 

Bel  an  Aire.  Name  of  a  bridge  across  the  Kilcurry  river  on  the  roarl  to  Xewtouii  Hamilton  (Kdward 
O'Gorman). 

Belatourey.  Inq.  21  Jan.,  160G.  A  ford  over  the  stream  dividing  the  Baronies  of  I'pjxT  and  Lowci- 
Dundalk. 

Belcotton  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P. — 123a.  2r.  2p.    Called  Laraghmys(<e,  D.S.  Ma})  and  various  Imj. 
O.N.B.  gives  "  Custom  of  the  Parish  "  as  a  derivation  for  the  first  name  ;   "  Site  of  the  .Maiwe 
for  the  second.    See  Louth  Arch.  Journal.  No.  IV.,  p.  43,  with  which,  however.  I  am  not  di.sposed 
to  concur. 

Bellalegan,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  547.    Inq.  28  Sep.,  U)18,  speaks  of  (lerald  Fleiuing,  Baron  of  Shine. 

as  lately  of  this  place  in  Louth,  and  as  his  property  extended  from  Slan(\  iti  the  upper  l)ar<)ny  of 

that  name  to  Breslanstcwn  in  the  lower  barony  (Meath)  t)ordering  on  Cjonkeen  P..  it  is  ru)t  ("asy 

to  say  where  this  place  is. 
Bellew's  Bridge  on  the  Dundalk-Newtown  Hamilton  Road  across  the  Castletown  liver.    Sec  Louth 

Arch.  Journal,  No.  II.,  p.  23. 
Bellurgan  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P.— 1483a.  2r.  ]9p.    The  configuration  of  this  T.L.  is  curious.  The 

N.E.  part  is  almost  cut  off  from  the  rest  by  the  approximation  towards  one  another  of  .IiMikinstow  n 

and  Ballymakellett  to  within  a  few  yards.    A  townland  of  the  same  name,  containing  5fi4A.  Or.  '.V.U-., 

lies  in  Castletown  P.,  and  belongs  to  it,  being  merely  a  })art. 
Bellmount,  T.  &  S.  Map,  Carlingforcl  T.L.    Now  only  a  farm  house. 

Beul  teine,  Place  of  Druidical  Fires.  Mr.  Edward  O'Corman  says  this  luime  apjilics  to  a  fort  on  the 
site  of  which  the  Protestant  Church  of  KilciuTy  (now  closed)  was  built. 

Belpatrick  T.L..  Collon  P.  Ballopatrick,  Inq.  Visct.  .Moore,  27  .Vug,  IC.2S.  I'atiick's  town.  O.X.B. 
Dunmore  A  789,  one  of  a  range  of  low  hills  from  .Mosstown  and  Suuirmore  i)ri  the  .\.E.  to  Sli«>vr 
Bregh  in  Meath.  There  are  four  raths  :  a  large  one  clo.se  to  tlie  summit  of  Dinimore  ;  a  smaller 
one  on  the  S.W.  slope  ;  another,  very  small,  700  yards  to  the  E  ;  a  fourth,  larger,  400  yani.s  S.S.W. 
of  Leabhy  Cross,  close  to  the  County  botmdary.    Contains  1514a.  I  r.  22i'. 

Beltichburne  T.L.,  Beaulieu  P. — l9r)A.  2r.  13p.    Named  from  Sir  Henry  Tichburne. 

Benagh  T.L.,  Carlingford  P.— 234a.  Or.  14p.  O  X. P>.  gives  the  derivation  as  l)e.\ns;.\ii.\r  (or  beAns;.\»i 
<\t),  "  Branching  different  ways."  Dr.  O'Dotiovan  has  not  given  his  opinion.  It  i.s  a  long 
narrow  strip  of  land,  between  the  Big  and  Little  rivers,  which  unite  at  it?  S.  end.  But  as  l)eAnii.\r 
signifies  hilly,  it  may  be  a  preferable  rendering.    A  fort  at  the  S.  end. 

Ben  Rock.  One  of  the  Carlingford  range  of  mountains  A  13.30.  The  line  diviilmg  Anaveriuv  froiu 
Ravensdale  rims  over  the  summit,  on  which  are  the  remains  of  a  mount. 

Betaghstown  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P.  — 175a.  Or.  34?.:  bAiLe  buvr^c.  For  a  ddndcd  .  xplanatmn 
of  the  Irish  office  of  Biadhtach  or  public  victualler,  see  .Joyce  II..  )).  IK}. 

Big  Barn,  T.  &  S.  .Map.     On  the  road  to  P>armeath,  just  out  of  Dunlecr. 

Big  Furze,  Callystown  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P.     .-V  small  group  of  houses. 

Bigsland  T.L.,  Smarmore  P. — 18a.  2r.  24p.     Xo  nunains. 

Big  Woman's  Grave,  Corrakit  T.L.,  Carlingford  P. 

F 


38 


I'LACI".    NAMi:S     IN    TIIK   COnNTV   Ol'  LOdTH. 


Blackball  '11-  .   rcnnoiifccUiii  IV  'An.  I  iv,  inclndiMfj;  a  Hiti/ill  dctaclied  ])ori\(m  of  f>A.  lli.  9j'  ad- 

jdiiiitiK'  I'i  KMMtou  II  'r  li. 
Blackhlll  :a  tlSC)      In  tho  S.  of  (IciiU'Hiic  of  Oridl  'r(;in|)i(<. 
Blacklston,  An  li.  Moii.  Mil)  .  |)i>.  i  n-Kri.    S«h!  Hlakdstown. 
Black  Meadows.    S W  (>ii(i  of  (^urrabo^  T.L.,  AnhMn  P. 

Black  Mountain  A  SSl.     Ono  of  tho  ( 'arlin^'ford  ranj^*;,  .JcnkiriHtown  'iM>.     Called  Kftund  Mi.  on  the 

SIX  inch  Ord.  Hlx^ct.  Co.  Louth. 
Black  Road.    A  hmo  in  Rood.Hiown  T.L.,  Stahannon  P. 

Black  Rock.     A  village  in  Haf>;j^ar(lstowii  T.L.     Much  rcHortod  to  in  the  l)atl)inK  Hoason. 
Blackstick  T.\j.,  Ardoe  P.  -()7a.  Oh.  fn'.    No  reinain.s. 

Blakestown  T.Iv.,  SljanliH  P. — 381a.  Or.  30p.  In(j.  Car.  I.  mentions  GodfrydoH  laundye  in  Blakonton. 
O.N.B.  ^'ivcs  the  Iriwh  an  iMiLe  blACAc.  ThcHe  narn(^s  are  similar  to  those  of  two  Danish  chiefs 
when  Muirch(mrta^^h  of  th(^  lieatliern  Cloaks  was  killed  in  battle  at  Glasliathan,  near  Ardee.  Blacar 
was  tl\e  Danish  kiny;  at  tliat  battle,  and  C!otlifrith  or  Godfrey  son  of  Sitric,  a  eousin  of  Blacar 
((Jenealo^'.  Table,  ApixMulix  1),  Wars  of  thr  (J.  and  G.),  thouj^h  his  presence  is  not  recorded,  might 
liav(^  his  name  connected  with  the  battle,  or  afterwards  with  the  place. 

Blundeston  al  Cakestcm.  In<i.  MiMiael  Dromgoole,  Ardee,  24  Sep.,  1G33  ;  in  MuUary  P.  D.S.  Map 
plac(>s  it  S.  of  Roxborough,  of  which  it  a])})ears  a  part. 

Boates  Bridge.    Iiui-  resjKK'ting  the  Pryor's  Park,  Ardee,  8  Jan.,  1019.    On  the  high  road  E.  of  the  Park. 

Bogberry  Hill.    S.W.  of  Glack  Cross  Roads  in  that  T.L. 

Boggmeade  a!  Rough  al.  Gaffnye's  Land.    Inq.  Thomas  Fleming,  Gernonstown,  Co.  Meath,  9  Hev.,  1653. 

Associat(Hl  with  Termonfeckin.    Position  not  known. 
Bogtown  T.L..  Mapastown  P.— 273a.  Or.  12p. 

Bogtown.    The  farms  of  Mr.  McEnello  and  Mr.  Ginnety  in  Dromiskin  T.L.    A  corruption  cf  Backtown. 

The  Irish  name,  Coolbaile,  is  still  known  here. 
Boharboy,  "  Yellow  Road."    A  village  in  Muchgrange  T.L.,  Carlingford  P. 

Bohar  na  moe  T.L.,  Ardee  P.— 390a.  2r.  38p.,  "  Road  of  the  Cows."    Silver  Hill,  A  159,  near  ite  W. 

side.    Croagh  Martin  near  the  north. 
Belies  T.L.,  Kilsaran  P.— 299a.  Or.  22p.     buAlnje,  "  The  Milking  place  of  Cows,"  J.  O'D.,  O.N.B. 
Bonebor-berr.     Inq.  Nicolas  Hussey,  of  Galtrim,  Co.  Meath,  23  April,   1633.  Associated  with  places 

in  Philipstown,  Kildemock  and  Dromin  parishes. 
Bongrogey.    T.  &  S.  Map  places  it  where  Toberdoney  T.L.,  Dromin  P.  is,  but  puts  Toberdoney  in 

Richardstown  P.    Apparently  a  corrupted  form  of  some  name. 
Bosgravllle's  Rath — see  Baskervill  Rath. 

Boyeetown  T.L.,  Port  P. — 202a.  1r.  7p.    Site  of  a  rath  at  Ferrard's  Cross. 

Braganstown  T.L.,  Stabannon  P. —  1267a.  3r.  5p.  Ballebragan,  Inq.  Car.  I.  A  large  part  of  the  bog 
formerly  here  has  been  drained.  Here,  at  a  spot  not  far  from  Braganstown  House,  Sir  W.  Berming- 
ham.  Earl  of  Louth  (called  MacFeorais  by  the  Irish),  was  attacked  and  slain  with  200  of  his  followers 
by  the  English  settlers,  who  resented  his  being  given  a  Louth  title.  This  occurred  a.d.  1328.  His 
two  brothers,  sons  of  Lord  Athenry,  Richard  Talbot  of  Malahide,  many  Irishmen,  and  MoUrony 
McKerwell,  chief  musician  of  the  Kingdom,  were  also  killed.  See  Annals  Clonmacnoise,  Ann  Is 
Loch  Ce,  and  Sir  J.  Gilbert's  History  of  the  Viceroys. 

Braghan  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P.— 36a.  2r.  31p.    "  Anything  soft,"  O.N.B. 

Branagan's  Cross,  Collon  T.L.,  on  road  E.  of  Oriel  Temple  Demesne. 

Brandon's  Park,  Arch.  Mon.  Hib.,  p.  464.    A  close,  granted  in  capite  along  with  the  Grey  Friary,  Dun- 

Dundalk,  to  James  Brandon,  April  30,  1643. 
Briar  Hill  T.L..  Dysart  P.— 81a.  3r.  31p.    No  remains. 

Bridge-a-Crin.    Wooden  Bridge  over  the  stream  separating  Stumpa  and  Falmore  T.L. 

Brittas  T.L.,  Carrickbaggot  P.— 333a.  2r.  32p    Speckled  land,  O.N.B.  ;   Joyce  II.,  14,  289.  Rath 

in  centre.    "  They  say  there  is  a  cave  in  it,"  O.N.B. 
Broadlough  T.L.,  Ardee  P. —  168a.  2e.  24p.    Name  English  by  common  consent,  nevertheless  O.N.B. 

tries  to  make  it  Irish  :  biiAiT)  Ioca,  "  neck  of  the  lough,"  which  elicits  from  Dr.  O'Donovan  the 

severe  remark  :   "  The  Co.  of  Louth  Irish  is  not  to  be  depended  upon." 
Broughattin  T.L.,  Ballymascanlan  P. — 68a.  3r.  25p.     bjiuAC  Airne,   "  Brow  of  the  furze,"  J.  O'D., 

O.N.B.    A  mount  E.  of  Broughattin  Lodge. 
Brownstown  T.L.,  Drumshallon  P. — 613a.  Or.  35p.    An  old  burying  ground  on  the  Ord.  Map,  and  a 

church,  the  site  of  which  is  known  by  the  grass  covered  outhne  of  its  walls.    See  Kilkaman. 
Brynoldstowne.    In  C.S  List  as  one  of  the  Townlands  of  Termonfeckin,  containing  179a.  Or.  Op.,  but 

not  on  the  map. 

Burke's  Land,  T.  &  S.  Map.  In  WiUville  T.L.,  Carhngford  P.  ;  also  in  C.S.  List. 
Hurley  Bridge,  Shanlis  P.    Over  the  river  Dee  on  the  Ardee-Drurnconrath  road. 

Burren  T.L.,  Dunleer  P. — 411a.  3r.  22p.  Rocky  land  ;  boiyieAnn,  a  large  rock.  Joyce  I.,  p.  419,  and 
O.N.B.  In  Ann.  Q.M.,  A.M.,  4404.  Dr.  O'Donovan,  quoting  an  old  MS.,  deriving  it  from  bofifi 
great — onn,  stone.    Barne  between  Athclare  and  Listulk,  D.S.  Map. 

Bush.  A  Station  on  the  Dundalk-Greenore  Railway.  Ballaverty  T.L.  A  small  church  and  burying 
groxind. 

(To  be  continued.) 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH. EG  LOGICAL  JGURNAL 


30 


NOTE  OX  THE  PLACE  NAMES  OF  LOCTH. 

The  Ordnance  Name  Book  referred  to  in  the  foregoino;  list  was  eoiu|)iled  for  tlic  ()i(hiiuuc  Siiixcy 
of  Ireland  between  183-i  and  1836.  Colonel  Sir  Thomas  Larcoin.  Fvoyal  Liiuinci-rs.  was  at  the  licad 
of  that  Survey,  and  Lieutenants  G.  A.  Bennett  and  Henry  TuckiT  of  that  Corps  wt  ic  in  (  liaiLrc  of  the 
operations  in  the  County  Louth. 

The  Antiquarian  part  of  the  work  was  under  John  O'Donovaii,  LL.D..  to  whom  the  r(  |i(>rt>  of 
which  the  Ordnance  Name  Books  are  composed  were  submitted.  The  information  whicii  a|>|)car 
in  these  reports  is  initialled  chiefly  by  Messrs.  Patrick  O'Keeffe  and  John  O'Connor,  assisted  by 
J.  O'Neil  and  Mr.  J.  C.  Sharkey,  the  latter  of  whom  appears  to  have  belonged  to  the  Ordnance  Siu  Ncy. 
and  others  belonging  to  different  localities.  That  their  Irish  was  not  always  to  be  iclieil  oti  appears 
sometimes  in  Dr.  O'Donovan's  remarks. 

The  letters  describing  Parishes  and  their  anticjuities  were  written  for  Louth  by  IV  O'KeetVc  and 
J.  O'Connor,  and  addressed  to  Sir  Thomas  Larcom. 

Names  of  Places  in  this  list  are  spelled  exactly  as  in  the  Six  Iik  h  Ordiuuuc  Map  uide>s  d(  ii\f(| 
from  other  authorities.  The  Irish  is  sometimes  a  difticulty.  Dr.  O'Donovan  does  not  always  initial 
that  given  by  Messrs.  O'Keeffe  and  O'Connor,  and  in  a  few  instances  it  seems  (l()n!)tful.  Dr.  i*.  .loy. c 
is  quoted  wlienever  ])Ossible,  not  onlv  as  the  best  general  authority  for  Iiisti  i-endeiinL'>.  but  a-~  mu 
who  knew  a  gootl  deal  of  the  County  in  fornu'r  days. 


40 


i]olu  lWclU%  in  OUtuutn  goiitlt. 

St.  BriRit.     Ill  tlir  ()l<l  clinrcliy.inl  in  I'aiiuliarl   Upper  V  \j.     A  very  iuiciciit  hiiildiii}^  covers  it. 
St.  BriKit,  Dmilrcr  T.L.  and  IV,  O.L. 

St.  BriRlt,  Mailtstowii  !'.     Mentioned  in  O.L.  ;    not  on  the  map. 

St.  Colman,  called  'rolieihnllanioij,  on  the  map.     On  the  shore  Salterstown  T.L.  ;iiid  J'. 
St.  Coluniba,  (  an i.  Uhau-ot  T.L.,  O.L. 
St.  Dennis,  ('lo^lle^  T.L.  and  IV.  O.L. 

St.  Feichen,  'rermonl'eeUin  T.L.  and    IV,   ().X.I'>.  ;    not  on  th(^  map. 

St.  Finnian,  Coistown  T.L.,  Dfumeai-  IV,  of  whieh  he  is  Patron.    'Vhv  v/d\  beini^  a  s[)rinj^  in  a  field 

is  mnih  trodden   by  cattle. 
St.  Fintan,  Dromin  T.L.  and  IV,  of  vvliicli  he  is  Patron.    The  well  is  covered  over  and  [)reserved  in 

its  ()ri;.;inal  condition. 
St.  James,  Millgran^e  T.L.,  ( 'arlingford  P.,  O.L. 

St,  John,  Castletown  'IM^.  and  P.    The  building  over  this  is  described  in  Wright's  "  Louthiana," 

Bool<  111.,  Plate  XIX.    Known  locally  as  Tober  Ronan. 
Lady's  Well,  .Marshes  Upper  T.L.,  south  side  of  Dundalk. 
Lady's  Well,  Temi)letown  T.L.,  Carhngford  P. 

St.  Mary  The  Blessed  Virgin,  Cappog  T.L.  and  P.     Referred  to  in  O.L.  as  Cill  tTluijie.     Not  marked 
oil  the  ma]). 

St.  Michael  the  Archangel.    In  the  churchyard  of  Charlestown  P. 

St.  Patrick,  Channonrock  T.L. 

St.  Patrick,  Kilpatrick  T.L.,  Kildemock  P. 

St.  Patrick,  Mell  T.L. 

St.  Patrick,  St.  Mary,  Drogheda.    Only  the  site  is  preserved. 

St.  Ronan,  Dromiskin  T.L.  and  P.     It  is  a  spring  by  a  small  stream.     St.  Ronan  was  one  of  the 

Abl)ots  of  Dromiskin,  died  a.d.  064  of  an  epidemic  called  the  Buidhe  Connail — Annals  Q  M. 
Trinity  Well,  Termonfeckin.    .\  Station  held  here  on  Trinity  Sunday. 
Trinity  Well,  Paughanstown  T.L.,  Kildemock  P. 
St.  Ultan,  Drumgoolan  T.L.,  Louth  P. 

St.  Ultan,  Killanny  T.L.  and  P.    O.L.  says  it  formerly  was  there. 


Tober  an  elshy,  S.W.  corner  of  Gallstown  T.L.,  Marlestown  P. 

Toberboice,  off  a  lane  in  Drogheda.    t-Buithe — of  St.  Buithe  vulgo  St.  Boice,  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 

Tobereisk,  Hurlstone  T.L.,  Smarmore  P.    T:-eife — of  the  stream,  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce  thinks. 

Tober  Finn,  Brownstown  T.L.,  Drumshallon  P.    c-pinn — Bright  or  limpid  well,  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 

Tober  Maura,  close  to  Mullary  Church — Mary's  Well,  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 

Tober  meen.    On  the  shore  Templetown  T.L.    r-min — of  the  plain  ? 

Tober  na  Calliagh — of  the  Nuns,  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 

Tober  coole.  Ravel  T.L.,  Dunleer — of  St.  Comhghaill  or  of  the  corner. 

Tober  na  gan  keenagh,  Anaglog  T.L.,  Kildemock  P.     r-riA  jjeeAnn  cinne— of  the  chieftains.  Rev. 

Dr.  Olden.    — of  the  heads  ....  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 
Tober  na  solais,  Killineer  T.L.,  Drogheda— of  the  hght,  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 
Tober  ra,  Brownstown  T.L.,  Drumshallon  P. — of  the  Rath,  Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 
Tobershowney,  Carntown  T.L.,  Ballymakenny  P. 

Tober  theorin,  on  the  meering  of  two  townlands  in  Drumshallon  P,    r-reo|iAin — of  the  Boundary, 

Dr.  P.  W.  Joyce. 
Tober  toby,  Menghstown  T.L.,  Termonfeckin  P. 


41 


OST  of  those  who  will  read  this  article  liax'e  heard  and  will  w- 
meiiiber  the  paper  read  by  Mr.  (i.  H.  ()ri)eii  at  the  Meetin.i;  of 
the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  in  the  Town  Hall.  Dundalk.  in 
July  last. 

They  will  reniend^er  that  the  burden  of  that  ])ai)er.  and  the 
theory  Mr.  Orpen  sought  to  prove,  was  that  the  high  f1at-t()})pc(l 
earthen  mounds,  known  as  "  motes,"  were  the  work  of  the  Normans. 

It  was  not  the  first  occasion  on  which  Mr.  Orpen  advanced  this  tlieorv.  for 
an  article  of  his  on  the  same  subject  and  making  the  same  claim  will  be  found  in 
the  R. S.A.I.  Journal  for  June,  1907.  and  another  in  the  English  Historical  Rcvicic. 
April,  1907. 

In  the  paper  read  at  the  Dundalk  Meeting  Mr.  Orpen  confmed  his  attention 
to  the  motes  of  Louth.  As  the  paper  has  not  yet  seen  the  light  it  is  not  i)()ssiblc 
to  criticise  it  in  detail,  nor  is  this  article  meant  as  a  general  refutation  of  Mr.  ()r])en's 
theory. 

I  think  Mr.  Orpen  has  done  well  to  raise  this  question,  and  set  uj)  this 
theory,  because  in  doing  so  he  has  made  investigations  and  observations,  and 
adduced  facts  and  evidence  which  will  undoubtedly  help  to  elucidate  a  hitherto 
unsolved  problem. 

Those  who  have  read  or  heard  Mr.  Orpen's  arguments  will  remember  that 
one  of  the  strongest  pleas  is  that  the  country  where  motes  abound  coincides  roughlv 
with  the  old  English  Pale. 

As  far  as  my  knowledge  goes  this  is  in  the  main  true,  and  I  think  Mr.  Or])cn 
deserves  the  credit  of  drawing  public  attention  to  this  fact. 

The  writer  has  lived  up  to  the  present  in  the  counties  of  Monaghan  and  Louth, 
and  for  well  nigh  twenty  years  he  has  been  devoting  attention  to  these  impressive 
earthworks,  and  he  can  vouch  for  it  that  the  general  rule  is  that  in  Monaghan  and 
Cavan  the  ring  forts  are  plentiful,  while  the  mounds  or  motes  are  practically  non- 
existent, whereas  in  Louth  and  Meath  the  motes  are  plentiful,  while  the  low  ring 
forts  are  comparatively  few. 

Nothing  is  more  surprising  to  a  student  of  these  antiquities,  than  the  change 
from  motes  to  ring  forts  when  one  passes  from  the  low  rich  lands  of  Louth  and 
Meath  to  the  hill  country  of  Monaghan  and  Cavan. 

And  the  thought  has  often  occurred  to  me  why  ha\'e  we  no  motes  in  Monaghan 
and  Cavan  ?  There  are  a  few,  it  is  true,  but  with  one  or  two  exceptions  they  are 
on  or  near  the  Leinster  border.  A  gentleman  at  the  Dundalk  meeting  offered 
the  explanation  that  the  absence  of  motes  in  Ulster  was  caused  by  the  destruction 
of  these  structures  by  the  Scotch  planters.  But  this  explanation  will  not  mee  t 
the  case.  Motes  are  harder  to  destroy  and  obliterate  than  ring  forts,  and  it  would 
not  be  at  all  probable  that  the  motes  were  destroyed  while  the  forts  were  spared. 
In  Farney  (vSouth  Monaghan),  for  instance,  this  did  not  happen,  for  Farney  ne\  er 
was  "  planted,"  and  the  people  had  had  the  greatest  reverence  for  these  remains, 
so  mysterious,  and  invested  with  so  many  wierd  traditions  ;  yet  in  Farney,  accord- 
ing to  Shirley,*  we  have  220  ring  forts,  whereas  there  are  but  two  motes,  and 
these  two  are  on  or  near  the  Louth  border.  Now  it  is  beyond  doubt  that 
motes  never  existed  in  Farney  as  they  do  in  Louth.  The  same  is  true.  I  believe, 
of  the  whole  of  County  Monaghan,  and  also  of  County  Cavan.  Of  course  there 
are  some  exceptions.  The  mote  of  Moybolloge,  near  Bailieboro,  is  only  a  few- 
miles  from  the  Meath  border,  and  can  hardly  be  called  an  excejition.  Hut  the 
great  mote  at  Clones  is  a  decided  exception.  vSo  is  the  Crown  Mount,  near  Newry  : 
and  Mr.  Bigger  informs  me  that  motes  occur  near  vScarva. 

*  Vide  Historical  ShelchrM  of  Fnrnei/. 


42 


M()'ri;s  AND  'riii;iK'  oKUiiN. 


I'ut,  oil  \\\c  whole,  as  lar  as  the  iioi  t  Ik.tu  Ixnindaiy  of  the  Pale  is  concerned, 
Ml.  ()i|)eirs  content  ion  is  (|uite  accmate,  that  the  mote  country  is  coincident  with 
the  I'ji.i^lish  Pale. 

Till'  writer  cannot  say  how  tar  the  same  may  be  true  on  the  southern  and 
western  borders  of  the  ])ale.  Hut  anyone  who  has  travelled  in  west  Connacht 
oi  north-west  Ulster  knows  that  these  usually  cons])icuous  structures  are  not 
to  be  seen  in  these  districts. 

Xow,  granting  that  the  mote  country  agrees  in  the  main  with  the  area  of  the 
Pale  the  conclusion  I  should  suggest  from  this  is  that  ihe  motes  were  built,  not  by  the 
NonuiD's,  hut  by  some  earlier  conqueriw^  race  who,  like  the  Normans,  conquered  and  held 
the  rich  midlands,  while  leaving  the  hilly  and  less  fertile  country  to  the  north,  west,  and 
south,  largely  in  possession  of  the  conquered  tribes. 

W^ho  then  were  these  conquerors  ? 

Well,  Eoin  MacNeill  is  at  present  reconstructing  for  us  our  ancient  Irish 
history,  and  separating  the  inventions  of  the  poets  from  the  actual  facts  of  history, 
and  he  has  shown  that  the  Milesian  tribes  never  peopled  more  than  a  third  of  the 
country,  though  they  imposed  their  suzerainty  over  the  whole  of  the  island. 
I'\irther  he  shows  that  the  two  great  centres  of  Milesian  power  were  Tara  and 
Cashel,  and  that  the  country  actually  held  and  peopled  by  the  Milesians  was  practi- 
cally the  same  as  the  English  Pale  of  a  later  date. 

Now  the  theory  I  should  suggest  for  investigation  by  those  who  may  have 
the  time  and  opportunity  for  it  is  that  the  motes  were  strongholds  peculiar  to  the 
Milesians. 

In  the  Pale  country  nature  does  not  supply  those  steep  hills  and  precipitous 
cliffs  and  other  natural  defences  that  the  fort  builders  usually  took  advantage 
of  elsewhere.  And  a  numerically  weak  military  race,  such  as  the  Milesians, 
stood  in  need  of  unassailable  strongholds.  Yet  they  lived  in  the  least  defensible 
part  of  the  country.  And  the  fact  that  they  lived  there,  and  managed  to  hold 
their  own  for  so  long  proves  that  they  must  have  known  how  to  make  their  strong- 
holds well  nigh  impregnable.  Their  case  was  exactly  similar  to  that  of  the 
Normans,  and  what  the  strong  stone  castle  was  to  the  Normans  the  tall  earthen 
mote  w4th  its  deep  fosses  and  pallisaded  ramparts  was  to  the  Milesians.  Not 
alone  their  military  prowess  but  their  methods  of  defence  must  have  been  superior 
to  those  of  the  earlier  inhabitants  whom  they  held  in  subjection,  and  the  high 
mote  as  compared  with  the  low  ring  fort  fulfils  this  requirement. 

Now  I  am  merely  making  out  a  prima  facie  case  for  this  Milesian  theory. 
To  prove  it  fully  two  things  require  to  be  done  : — 

1.  — To  map  out  the  mote  country,  and  show  where  they  exist  and  where 
they  do  not. 

2.  — To  map  out  the  exact  location  of  the  Milesian  tribes. 

Should  these  two  coincide  with  each  other,  the  case,  I  hold,  is  proved, 
Mr.  MacNeill  has,  I  believe,  largely  done  the  latter  work — namely,  to  define  the 
country  peopled  by  the  Milesians.  Perhaps  Mr.  Orpen  or  someone  else  with  the 
necessary  leisure  could  do  the  former. 

Mr.  Orpen,  following  up  Mrs.  Armitage  and  others,  has  made  out  a  strong  case 
for  the  Norman  theory,  by  showing  that  in  the  case  of  eighty-five  Norman  castles 
erected  in  Ireland  before  1216.  motes  occur  at  or  near  these  in  sixty-six  instances. 

Of  course  it  has  been  replied  to  this  that  the  Normans  merely  seized  the  motes 
which  they  found  already  made,  and  turned  them  to  their  own  use.  But  this  reply 
will  be  annulled  if  all  the  districts  not  alone  in  Ireland,  but  in  England,  Scotland, 
and  Normandy,  identified  with  Norman  occupation,  can  be  conclusively  shown  to 
possess  earthen  fortresses  exactly  of  this  type,  while  in  districts  never  occupied  by 
Normans  these  earthworks  are  rare  or  non-existent. 

So  far,  it  must  be  confessed,  the  evidence  does  point  this  way,  but  it  is  yet  far 


COUNTY   LOUTPI    ARCH.P. OLO(; ICAL  JOURNAL. 


43 


from  being  conclusive.  And  we  should  be  slow  lo  accept  tlie  Xoriiian  theory  umil 
every  other  theory  has  been  examined  and  (lis])roven. 

Mr.  Orpen  has  a  very  hap])y  safety-\-al\e  for  his  theory.  Ik-  divides  tlie  motes 
into  three  classes  : — 

(I.)  Sepulchral  Mounds  of  Celtic  orii^in. 

(2.)  Inauguration  and  Assembly  Mounds,  also  of  Celtic  origin. 
(3.)  Fortress  Mounds  of  Norman  origin. 

Now  vvhcrever  a  mote  is  proved  beyond  doubt  to  be  pre-Xorman  -  like  (ireeii- 
mount,  Co.  Louth — he  simply  says  it  belongs  to  one  of  the  two  other  classes. 

In  this  way,  while  claiming  the  vast  majority  of  motes  as  belonging  to  the 
third  class,  he  gets  rid  of  all  troublesome  exceptions,  but  it  is  a  method  that  is  not 
alwa3's  satisfactory,  and  may  in  many  instances  often  decei\-e  Mr.  Orpen  himself. 

Before  dismissing  the  subject  I  wish  to  draw  attention  to  what  I  consider  an 
important  fact,  which  has  not,  as  far  as  I  am  aware,  been  dwelt  on  before.  A  large 
number  of  these  motes  will  be  found  with  the  ruins  of  churches  or  ancient 
monasteries  in  close  proximity  to  them. 

Here  is  a  list  of  motes  that  have  in  every  case  the  ruins  or  site  of  an  ancient 
church  or  ecclesiastical  foundation  in  their  immediate  vicinity  : — 

County  Me.\th. 

17.  Milhnoiint  (Drogheda). 

18.  Nobber.  ' 
ig.  Drumconrath. 

20.  Slane. 

21.  Cruisetown. 

22.  Robistown. 

23.  Kilbeg. 

COT'NTY  MONAGHAN. 

24.  Inniskeen. 

25.  Donaghmoyne  (Manaan  Castle).^ 

26.  Clones. 

County  Cavan. 

27.  MoyboUogc* 

Mr.  Orpen  incidentally  cites  many  other  examples,  such  as  I)own})atiKk, 
Clonard,  Durrow,  Knockgraffon,  and  Clogher,  but  I  only  give  here  examples  of 
which  I  have  personal  knowledge. 

In  the  case  of  Nos.  i,  2,  8,  9,  13,  14,  15,  16,  18,  19,  20,  21,  24,  zb,  and  27 
the  site  or  ruins  of  the  church  is  not  more  than  a  stone's  cast  from  the  mote  ; 
in  the  other  cases  the  two  structures  stand  somewhat  further  apart. 

1. — There  are  no  remains  of  a  church  here  now,  but  the  site  is  still  traditionally  poiiit*'^!  out.  as 
well  as  that  of  an  ancient  cemetery,  where  the  men  and  women  were  buried  apart-  a  proof  of  very  aii<  i.  nt 
origin. 

2- — At  both  these  places  there  are  round  towers  also. 

3.  — In  the  "  Tripartite  Life  "  it  is  related  that  the  chieftain  wlio  liv.-d  here  in  tlic  tinu-  of  St  I'atrn  k 
at  first  resisted  the  saint,  but  afterwards  became  converted,  and  became  a  l)isli()p  ;  and  that  St.  I'ntri.k 
founded  the  church  here. 

4.  — Local  tradition  attributes  the  erection  of  the  church  her«^  to  St.  Patrick. 

r>. — Here  just  beside  the  mote  are  the  ruins  cf  the  church  where,  acct.rdinir  to  sonie  aut hi)riti«'f^. 
Colmcille  made  by  stealth  the  copy  of  St.  Finnian's  MS.  which  led  to  the  balth-  of  ( "iildreindnu-  an.l  hi;* 
expatriation  from  Ireland. 

().— There  is  not  the  faintest  trace  of  a  church  here  iu)W.  l)ut  tra<lition  points  out  when- one 
existed  on  the  top  of  tho  hill  just  beside  the  inote.  Hones  and  old  tonil)stoncs  w<  n>  du^'  up  wh.-n  .1 
fence  was  being  made  across  the  site  of  the  ancient  graveyard. 

7. — A  monastery  once  existed  here  nearer  to  the  nu)te  than  the  present  ruins  and  grave  yar-l  ar<-. 


County  I^outh. 

1.  Mount  Bagenal. 

2.  Faughart. 

3.  Dundalgan. 

4.  Haggardstown. 

5.  Mot  a  Ash.i 

6.  Fairy  Mount  at  Louth. 

7.  Dunleer. 

8.  Dromin.  ^ 

9.  Mapastown. 

10.  Priest's  Mount,  Ardee. 

11.  Manistown  (near  Innismocht). 

12.  Stormanstown. 

13.  Tallanstown. 

14.  Shanlis  (near  Ardee). 

15.  Killany. 

16.  AcHnt.« 


44 


MOT  ICS   AM)    IIII.  llv 


Ill  ,il  K;ist  cliAcii  iiist  niucs  the  cc-c-lcsiaslical  touiidat  ion  is  known  to  belong 
lo  the  railv  LMiiistiaii  jxiiod,  lon^  bclorc  llie  Normans  were  heard  of  in  Ireland. 
Tlu'sc  air  Xos.  ^,  f),  7,  ^,  II,  15,  17,  24,  25,  and  2().  In  the  remaining  cases  I  am 
not  awau-  ol  period  to  which  the  clinrch  or  ruin  belongs,  but  some  of  them 
ha\r  tiaditions  ol  a  Patrician  orij^in,  and  tlu-re  are  strong  presiim])tive  reasons 
b.'lu\ iiii;  tlu-m  all  to  be  of  i)re-N()rman  origin. 

hi  Iniii  instances  (Xos.  10,  li,  IJ,  and  i(^)  the  mote  is  found  c'lose  to  a  modern 
rhuicli.  but  I  ha\<'  ascertained  that  this  modern  church  is  in  e\'er\'  instance  built 
on  I  111-  sit  r  of  an  older  one. 

These  t  wtMity-scvcn  exam])les  are  selected  from  a  coni])aratively  small  area,  and 
I  am  not  sure  that  they  exhaust  all  the  available  examples  in  that  area,  as  they  are 
written  down  merely  from  memory.  But  if  similar  examples  can  h>e  found  else- 
where it  would  go  very  far  tp  ])r()ve  this,  that  these  motes  were  the  abodes  or  strong- 
holds of  the  j)uissant  chiefs  or  tribal  kings  in  the  early  days  of  Christianity  in  Ireland, 
sav  during  the  fifth  and  sixth  centuries,  and  that  the  early  missionaries  having 
won  over  the  chief  in  each  case,  founded  a  church  practically  at  his  door,  under 
his  protection,  and  on  land  granted  by  him  for  the  purpose. 

Certainly  it  is  more  natural  to  suppose  that  the  missionary  built  his  church 
beside  the  fortress  of  the  friendly  chief — in  a  land  where  pagans  were  still  numerous — 
than  to  think  that  the  warlike  and  not  over  sanctimonious  Norman  barons  should 
go  out  of  their  way  to  plant  their  fortresses  beside  pre-existing  churches. 

Indeed  it  is  highly  improbable  that  the  mote  was  built  of  design  beside  the 
Christian  church,  but  that  the  church  was  built  beside  the  mote  agrees  with  what  we 
know  of  the  success  of  vSt.  Patrick  and  his  successors  in  winning  over  the  kings  and 
important  chiefs.  This  then  goes  to  prove  that  these  motes  were  the  residences  of 
the  kings  and  chiefs  of  the  surrounding  districts  in  the  5th,  6th  and  7th  centuries. 
And  we  know  from  indubitable  historical  records  that  the  Milesians  held  and  ruled 
this  particular  part  of  Ireland  during  the  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  centuries,  hence 
these  motes  were  the  strongholds  of  the  Milesians  at  this  period. 

Now  I  will  sum  up  the  points  of  the  argument  : 

1.  The  country  the  Milesians  held  is  the  country  w^here  the  motes  most  abound. 

2.  The  Milesians  must  have  used  a  superior  kind  of  stronghold  to  hold  their  own 

in  a  country  where  they  were  outnumbered  by  two  to  one,  and  where  natural 
strongholds  were  fewest.    The  mote  answers  to  this  character. 

3.  Many  of  the  motes  are  found  immediately  beside  ecclesiastical  ruins  whose  origin 

is  known  to  belong  to  early  Christian  times — a  proof  that  these  motes  were  the 
residences  of  the  Milesian  chiefs  in  the  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  centuries. 

I  am  putting  this  forward  only  as  a  tentative  theory,  in  the  hope  that  others 
may  apply  it  to  other  districts  as  I  have  done  to  Oriel.  That  the  motes  were 
characteristic  generally  of  the  Celtic  tribes  of  Ireland  cannot,  I  think,  be  for  a 
moment  maintained,  and  the  question  of  their  origin  must  eventually  rest  between 
either  the  Milesians  or  the  Normans.  The  Norman  case  is  a  strong  one  and 
cannot  be  lightly  brushed  aside,  but  it  should  not  be  allowed  to  march  to  victory 
for  want  of  Irish  antiquaries  and  investigators  to  advocate  the  claims  of  our 
Celtic  ancestors. 

Henry  Morris. 

P.S. — Since  writing  the  above  I  have  observed  a  fine,  well-preserved  mote 
almost  opposite  Dundonald  Station  on  the  Co.  Down  railway  line,,  and  close  beside 
it  is  a  modern  church.  I  have  also  met  with  another  fine  'mote  at  the  village  of 
Clough — between  Castlewellan  and  Downpatrick — having  on  the  top  the  ruins  of 
a  small  castellated  building  with  narrow  windows  splayed  both  inwardly  and  out- 
wardly, evidently  for  the  use  of  firearms. 

And  I  have  visited  the  magnificent  rath  outside  Downpatrick,  generally  called 
Rath  Cealtair.  This  is  undoubtedly  a  Celtic  structure,  and  Mr.  Orpen  had  better 
surrender  it  at  once  to  his  opponents. 


CASTLETOWN  MOUNT- 


BUILT  BY   "  THE  PIRATE  "  FOR  HIS  GRAND-NEPHEW  PATRICK. 


f  ftp%nE$  of 

=     rnunfti  %mtk 


BY    CMAPLC^  .  R  A 


PENSER,  in  his  "  View  of  the  vState  of  Irehuul,"  makes  a  six-cial 
mention  of  the  sept  of  the  O'Byrnes.  He  calls  ihcm  "  Ikinns.'" 
which  approximates  more  closely  to  the  original  and  correct 
Irish  form  tli  t)|Aoin  than  does  that  which  passes  as  the  ])re^enl- 
day  equivalent. 

He  shows  that  long  before  his  day — in  fact  all  through  Irish 
history,  with  its  endless  tales  of  hght,  feast  and  foray — this  fannly 
took  a  leading  part. 
John  Byrne,  of  Ballinacor,  in  the  County  of  Wicklow,  was  de])uted  in 
fifteen  hundred  and  eighty-eight  by  his  brother  "  Prince  of  Wicklow  "  to  com- 
mand the  auxiliary  army  in  aid.  of  O'Neill,  Earl  of  Tyrone,  Prince  of  I'lster.  His 
son,  Edmund  Byrne,  married  Margaret  Taaffe,  and  settled  at  Killanw  Count >• 
Eouth.  and  thus  started  the  branch  of  the  clan  at  which  we  are  here  taking;  a 
passing  glance. 

Facts  are  few,  but  quaint  ;  and  they  are  made  quainter  still  the  colonrini; 
of  tradition  which  still  tends  in  the  direction  of  magic. 

Among  all  the  local  traditions  one  name  stands  out  for  e\-er  ])r()minent.  It 
is  that  of  the  "  Old  Pirate  Byrne  "  of  Castletown.  As  he  ha])i)ene(l  to  ha\  e  been 
my  maternal  great  grand-uncle,  I  took  a  somewhat  ])articular  interest  in  all  con- 
cerning him  ;  and,  as  his  career  and  that  of  his  grandsons  was  full  of  romance,  or 
what  goes  to  the  making  of  it,  it  may  be  of  interest  to.  the  reader  al^o.  Tlu-rc'  is 
a  picture  of  him  painted  by  one  of  the  earliest  R.A's.  He  looks  a  most 
respectable  member  of  society.  Yet  the  people  still  remember  him  in  Dniidalk 
by  the  name  of  "  The  Pirate  Byrne."  He  li\ed  at  Castletown.  The  bi-  S([nare 
house  on  the  top  of  the  hill  was  one  of  his.  He  built  it  for  his  gran{l-nei)he\v  Pat. 
As  the  inscription  which  reads — "  Erected  by  Patrick  Byrne.  lvs(j.,  of  Castletown, 
for  his  grand-nephew  Patrick  Byrne,  Esq.,  of  Seatown,  1780  "  shows.  There's 
pirate's  treasure  in  the  cellars  of  it  still  :  but  it's  guarded  by  a  nia-ic  cat. 
and  you've  got  to  shoot  him  'wid  a  silver  bullet  before  he'll  let  you  get  it. 

The  mound  and  trench  upon  which  the  Castle  is  built  are  remains  of  Celtic  anti- 
quity, and  have  been  there  from  time  immemorial.  I'or  this  is  the  site  of  old 
Dundalk — the  Dundalgin  of  the  Irish  bards.  Here  we  are,  as  it  were,  hand  ni  hand 
with  the  beginnings  of  modern  history.  vStraining  our  eyes  yonder,  we  almost  seem 
to  see  the  magnificent  emblazoned  chariot  of  the  yueen  of  Connaught  s])ee(ling  up 
against  us.  surrounded  by  a  gleaming  host  of  warriors.    .\nd  the  sheen  of  tlie  whiiling 


THK    nYK'NI':S   f)I'    COUNTY  I.OIITII. 


x-li;iii()t  ulicrls  sliiiu's  in  llir  \  ;ilK-\'  hclow,  and  (he  warm  glow  of  the  saffron  mantles, 
and  the  id''!^"'  1>i<><)<1h's,  and  tlu>  liiu-ly  wrought  jewellery.    And  we  know 

lliat  1  he. dark  liaiu'd  (Jiircn  has  wralh  llaniing  in  her  eyes  as  she  looks  U])()n  us, 
tni  lias  she  not  conu-  to  mortal  c()nd)al  witli  the  Knights  of  the  Red  Branch.  But 
goiu-  ail-  thr  olden  days  alas,  1  )ringing  with  them  llieir  story  of  the  vicissitudes  which 
lead  us  to  the  modem  anti-elimax  :  — "  The  house  has  l)een  lyin'  empty  for  some 
time,  vour  honour,  as  the  ladies  that  were  here  last  found  it  terrible  awkward  on 
aeconnt  of  there  ])ein'  no  water  bar  that  they  dragged  up  the  hill  in  a  barrel. 
vSnre  if  >()ur  honour'd  like  to  take  it,  it'll  be  goin'  cheap  wid  three  acres  of 
ground  attaclK'd  ;  and  if  your  honour'd  only  speak  to  the  Master,  I'm  sure 
it   ud  be  yours.    Wait  now  till  I  get  the  drawin'  room  shutters  open." 

\\\'  are  in  the  Pirate's  home  at  last.  The  hexagonal  rooms,  cut  to  the  shape 
of  the  tower,  look  decorative  and  quaint,  and  how  easily  we  can  people  them  with 
ghosts,  and  with  the  revelling  and  intrigues  of  bygone  ages. 

We  wonder  if  he  really  was  a  pirate,  or  only  a  privateersman  after  all.  But 
this  tower  would  undoubtedly  have  been  of  use  to  him  in  the  former  capacity,  and 
they  say  that  he  used  to  flash  signal  lights  of  red  and  blue  from  it  to  his  ships  in  the 
harbour  below. 

P'ar  away  to  the  right  stretches  the  expanse  of  Dundalk  Bay.  Here,  in  the 
ninth  century,  was  fought  the  one  great  naval  battle  of  which  Irish  records  speak. 

Turning  our  gaze  a  little  to  the  left  we  rest  it  upon  the  hill  of  Faughart  opposite  ; 
again  one  of  the  most  historic  spots  in  Ireland,  for  it  was  there  that  the  last  King 
of  Ireland  was  killed.  It  was  a  little  over  five  hundred  years  after  the  great  fight 
in  Dundalk  Bay  that  Edward  Bruce  was  crowned  King  of  all  Ireland  on  the 
spot  above  which  we  are  standing,  and  it  was  in  the  battle  of  Faughart  that 
he  ended  his  reign,  stabbed  to  the  heart  by  the  Sire  de  Maupas  of  Dundalk,  who, 
they  say,  dressed  as  a  jester,  found  his  way  to  the  heart  of  Bruce's  army,  and, 
with  his  dagger,  to  the  heart  of  Bruce  himself. 

From  the  scenes  of  war  we  pass  to  the  peaceful  heroine  ot  Faughart.  She  of 
whom  it  was  written,  "  She  was  a  ladder  to  heaven  for  very  many  souls,  and  was 
called  by  the  chaste,  '  Head  of  the  Nuns  of  Erin.'  "  On  this  hill  Saint  Brigid,  the 
great  contemporary  of  Saint  Patrick,  was  born  ;  and  on  the  first  of  February  in 
each  year  her  feast  day  was  kept  with  the  annual  patron. 

Pat  O' Byrne,  grandson  of  "  The  Pirate,"  writes  from  Prague,  on.  February 
the  first  in  eighteen  hundred  and  six,  to  Miss  Eliza  O' Byrne,  in  Sanson  Place, 
Worcester,  England  : — "  This  day  used  to  be  a  hunting  day — the  patron  of  Faughart, 
Saint  Bridget."  So,  through  all  his  troubles  and  expatriation  the  Irishman  never 
seems  to  have  forgotten  the  old  days  at  home. 

Seatown  is  down  yonder  by  the  quay.  The  old  red  brick  house,  with  the  dis- 
used mill  standing  like  a  hoary  sentinel  beside  it,  is  the  house  in  which  Pat 
O' Byrne's  father  lived.  The  military  flavour  still  clings  round  it  in  a  diminished 
degree,  for  it  is  now  used  as  a  militia  barracks. 

Looking  upon  the  miniature  of  poor  Pat  O' Byrne,  we  cannot  help  wondering 
at  the  brutality  and  stupidity  of  the  government  of  that  day  that  allowed  such 
men  to  be  taken  from  the  country.  For  we  see  him  in  German  uniform,  and  we 
know  that  he  died  Chamberlain  to  the  King  of  Prussia,  and  we  cannot  but  admire 
the  grit  in  a  man  who  could  raise  himself  to  such  a  position  despite  the  adverse 
surroundings  of  his  life. 

The  proclamation  which  he  signed  with  the  name  of  "  Commonsense "  was, 
after  all,  but  commonsense,  at  all  events  from  one  point  of  view.  Had  he  not  a 
right  to  call,  as  he  did,  upon  his  fellow-countrymen— Catholic,  Presbyterian  and 
Protestant  alike — to  make  a  stand  against  the  exorbitant  taxation  and  the  bad 
government  of  the  day  ? 


COUNTY   LOXITH    ARCH.4-:OLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


47 


But  Pat  had  to  undergo  two  years'  imprisonment  for  his  })am])hlet.  and  ])ay  a 
fine  of  five  hundred  pounds  to  the  King,  and  fmd  sureties  for  his  "  good  l)ehaviour." 
So  he  took  his  commonsense  elsewhere,  and  shook  the  dust  of  the  emerald  isle  frOni 
his  feet  for  ever.  His  pseudonym  of  "Commonsense"  seems  really  to  ha\-e  hc-en 
the  key-note  to  his  character.  In  the  midst  of  trouble  and  sickness,  in  the-  thick 
of  war  and  worry  and  the  fighting  with  the  French,  he  writes  home  in  tlir  \  ear 
1806,  in  a  letter  to  his  mother  to  the  post  office  at  Bath — a  letter  in  which 
he  makes  the  aphorism,  "  I  now  always  reckon  whatever  is,  although  for  tlie  moiiK-nl 
unpleasant,  turns  out  for  the  best."  So  he  went  bravely  through  liis  lighting  for 
existence  until  he  died  six  years  afterwards.  He  looks  out  at  us  still  with  a  hauglity 
air  from  the  diamond  frame  of  the  old  miniature,  for  pride,  too,  was  one  of  his  dis- 
tinguishing characteristics,  as  we  gather  from  his  letters.  So  we  take  a  lingering 
"  good-bye  "  of  the  grandnephew  of  "  the  pirate." 

As  we  take  our  way  down  the  hillside,  we  are  struck  with  the  quaint  old  grave- 
yard at  the  bottom  of  it.  I^eft  alone,  I  lean  against  the  rusty  iron  gate,  and  take 
another  view  of  Castletown  Mount  ;  and  I  wonder  if  this  was  the  house  in  which 
the  pirate  slept  that  night  of  the  robbery,  when  he  outwitted  his  captors  and  had 
them  hanged. 

For  they  say  that  late  one  night,  when  the  wind  was  moaning  through  the 
trees,  and  all  was  still  in  the  Pirate's  house,  when  the  Pirate  himself  was  sleeping 
the  quiet  sleep  that  only  comes  to  those  of  good  conscience  and  simple  nature,  a 
gang  of  men  found  their  way  into  Pirate  Byrne's  house,  and  not  only  into  his  house, 
but  even  up  to  his  bedside.  There  they  gathered  round  his  bed.  and  pointing  a 
pistol  to  his  head,  demanded  of  him  all  the  treasure  he  possessed. 

Patrick  the  Pirate  rubbed  his  eyes,  and,  stretching  himself,  took  in  the  situation. 
Seeing  that  he  was  in  the  power  of  the  gang  of  ruffians  for  the  time  being,  he  thought 
best  to  treat  them  civilly,  so  he  took  the  little  pleasantry  of  the  pistol  pointing 
merely  as  a  joke,  and  an  excellent  one  at  that,  and  in  response  to  their  question  said. 
"  Gentlemen,  here  are  my  keys  ;  take  all  you  can  find,  and  do  not  forget  that  this 
big  key  I  hold  between  my  finger  and  thumb  is  that  of  the  cellar,  (jo.  drink  what 
you  can  of  the  wine  and  welcome."  So  they  went,  completed  the  plunder,  and  before 
quitting  visited  the  cellar.  Here  they  got  so  drunk  that  upon  coming  once  more 
into  the  open  air  they  one  and  all  embraced  the  soil  of  "  Ould  Ireland." 

Captain  Byrne  meanwhile  sent  round  to  the  police  barracks.  At  dawn  one 
of  the  ruffians  was  found  in  a  field  beside  the  house,  another  was  prostrate  on  the 
road  to  Dundalk  ;  in  fact,  the  whole  gang  were  found  one  by  one  adoring  the  h<)l\- 
soil  of  Louth. 

At  the  next  sessions  they  were  tried,  found  guilty,  and  hanged  on  the  summit 
of  "  dairy  hill."  They  say  that  Captain  Byrne  was  present  at  the  execution,  just 
to  see  the  last  of  his  guests  and  wish  them  a  pleasant  journey  as  a  host  should,  h'or 
one  man  Byrne  interceded  in  vain.  This  man  had  prevented  his  comrade  from 
firing  the  pistol  which  was  pointed  at  the  Pirate's  head  and  thus  carrying  the  joke 
too  far.  But  Byrne's  intercession  failed,  and  the  man  was  hanged — the  hangman 
"  jumping  on  his  shoulders  to  put  the  life  out  of  him."  Thus  one  little  ])Ieasant 
incident  has  come  down  to  us  of  life  in  and  around  Castletown  Mount. 

When  we  first  heard  the  story  we  thought  it  was  merely  a  pictures(iue  fiction 
invented  to  strengthen  the  local  colour  of  which  the  Irish  are  so  fond  ;  but  upon 
examining  the  court  book  of  that  particular  period  we  found  tradition  corroborated. 

We  were  lucky  to  get  the  extract  from  the  court  book,  for  it  had  left  Dundalk. 
But  previous  to  its  removal  it  had  been  lent  to  one  of  the  residents  and  from  his 
copy  I  got  my  information.  The  court  book  solenuily  says  that  Patrick  Clarke. 
Philip  M'Cormick,  Michael  Hickey,  John  Griffiths,  Patrick  Rourke,  John  Keariis 
and  vSimon  Doyle  were  indicted   "  for  that  they,  on  the  niglit  of  the  third  of  May, 


'nil.  i?\i<Ni:s  ()!■  corN'iY  r.oirrn. 


twciitirtli  (.1  till'  KiiiK  (i7''^o),  ;i1  C'asi  lei  own ,  did  hrcak  and  enter  tlie  dwelling  liouse 
ot  ratiu  k  I'.N  iiie.  and  tlieieont  feloniously  took  "  ;  and  iiere  it  j^ives  a  list  of  knee 
l>urklrs,  sail  shovels,  laid<ards,  seals,  j^old  rin^s,  twelve  ])air  of  stoekin;i;s,  seventy 
|)(»niids  in  inone\-,  and  "  one  small  pieee  of  fine  linen,  valued 

ll  tlieii  .i;oes  on  to  ^\\<'  the  result.  vSinion  Doyle  was  found  "not  ^'uilty." 
All  the  others  were  found  "  K^ii^^Y  "  "  senteneed  to  be  hanged  by  the  neck 

until  dead,  on  Saturday,  the  2nd  day  of  vSe])tend)er  next." 

We  lea\e  the  ruined  chapel  with  regret,  for  there  is  evidence  of  interesting 
early  Ci'lf  ic  work  al)()ut  it  mixed  with  that  of  the  sixteenth  and  seventeentli  centuries, 
and  w<'  tread  a  c^uitious  way  among  the  mounds  which  veil  what  once  was  human, 
until  \ve  stand  before  the  roofless  building  erected  by  Pirate  Byrne  as  a  family  tomb. 
With  the  aid  of  grass  from  the  neighbouring  graves  the  lettering  under  the  mermaid 
family  c  rt'st  bec-ame  distinct  in  the  stone  above  the  doorway  of  the  vault,  and  I  read 
the  ([uaint  e])ita{)li  for  the  famous  Pirate  : 

"  NEPTlTNE'vS  WAVEvS  AND  BOREAvS'  BLAST 
"  HAVE  TOSSED  ME  TO  AND  FRO 
"  UNTIE  NOW  I  AM  COME  AT  EAST 
"  TO  HARBOUR  HERE  BEEOW 

"  WHERE  I  HOPE  MY  BONES  WIEE  BE  AT  REST 
"  UNTIL  THE  JUDGEMENT  DAY  SHALL  BE 
'•  O  GOOD  CHRISTIANS  WHO  READ  THIS 
"  I  BEG  YOU  WILL  PRAY  FOR  ME." 

There's  no  one  quite  knows  who  wrote  the  verses.  Some  say  the  Pirate  him- 
self did  it,  and  more  say  that  he  isn't  buried  here  at  all,  and  that  he  only  used  the 
vault  to  hide  things  in,  that  he  was  smuggling,  and  that  there's  a  secret  passage 
from  here  to  the  Blount.    But  we've  not  found  it  yet. 

But  time  is  running  away,  and  we  must  do  hkewise.  P'^or  is  there  not  a  house 
below  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill  by  Castletown  river,  and  was  it  not  the  living  place 
of  John,  Pat's  brother  ?  But  there  is  no  house  there  now,  only  a  few  loose  stones 
and  the  remains  of  one  or  two  outhouses.  For  they  say  that  pikes  were  found 
in  the  garden  in  '98,  and  the  zeal  of  the  yeomanry  was  roused — or  their  sense  of 
plunder  to  be  had  for  the  asking  perhaps.  John  knew  nothing  of  the  plot  which 
was  being  hatched  against  him  in  Dundalk,  but  the  yeomanry  officers  loosed  their 
tongues  rather  too  freely  about  it  over  their  cups  after  dinner,  and  one  of  the  waiters 
took  an  early  opportunity  to  escape  from  the  room,  and  once  outside  fled  with  the 
speed  of  loyality  and  love  to  acquaint  the  friend  of  the  people  of  the  danger  he  was  in. 
They  say  that  Captain  Seaver,  of  the  Bog,  who  commanded  the  Yeomen,  was  so 
enraged  at  finding  the  prey  flown  that  he  swore  "  the  bird  is  gone,  but  by  G —  we'll 
burn  the  nest,"  and  they  did.    The  house  was  burned  to  the  ground. 

And  all  the  while  John  was  hiding  in  Castletown  river  up  to  his  neck  in  the 
water,  and  at  nightfall  he  got  clear  away  and  escaped  from  the  country,  and  went 
to  join  Pat  as  a  brother  in  misfortune,  and  served  in  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  of 
Austrian  Light  Horse.  In  one  of  Pat's  letters,  written  from  Prague  in  eighteen 
hundred,  he  says,  "  John  comes  to  a  troublesome  place  'on  the  Rhine  perpetually 
day  and  night  before  the  enemy,  and  no  rest."  And  a  little  later,  "  when  you 
write  to  John  direct  to  him  '  Monsieur  O' Byrne  Lieut,  dans  le  Regt.  du  Vincent, 
triezieme  Chevaux  Legers,  au  service  de  sa  Maj  :  Imp  :  R.  ;  et  Apost  :  sous  les 
ordres  de  Monsr.  Le.  F  :  Z  :  M.  Conte  de  Sztary  (pres  de  Mannheim),"  and  then 
somewhat  naively  adds.     the  13th  Light  Horse  is  John's  Regt." 


COIIN'I'V    \A)\rn\    AKCH/l'OLOr.ICAL  JOURNAL. 


COUNTY    r.OUTH    AKCH.i:()L()GI(\\L  JOURNAL. 


49 


Yet  he  did  not  stay  loiii;  in  this  rcL^iincnl  with  the  ,L;iaii(lil()(jucMit  titU-.  lor  ,i 
year  afterwards  we  find  him  writing  houK-  to  his  iiiotlK-r  in  Duhliu  that  lu-  lias  ol)- 
tained  his  "  dismission."  and  that  he  intends  to  walk  all  the  wa\-  to  IlaiiihuiL;  (700 
miles)  in  order  to  get  to  England,  as  "1  would  sooner  starxe  in  Ivngland  than  he 
a  General  here."  He  seems  very  troubled  in  this  letter,  and  yet.  Irish  likr.  h.is 
a  mind  to  describe  the  fashions  of  the  day.  "  If  the  girls  wish  to  know  Prague 
fashions,  the  ladies  wear  red  pantaloons  with  yellow  gau/.e  o\-er  tlu-ni.  and  Tat  wears 
a  brown  surtout  and  a  Welch  wig." 

The  Duke  of  Cumberland  took  a  fancy  to  "  the  braxc  John  O'lix  ruc."  as  lit- 
is called  in  the  dismission  from  the  Austrian  army,  and  not  only  to  the  man.  but 
also  to  his  dress.  From  that  time  the  sleeveless  jacket  worn  by  CoriRt  ()'P.\  riR' 
was  introduced  into  the  English  army,  not  to  be  discarded  until  after  the  Crimean 
War.  John  served  in  the  Fifteenth  Light  Dragoons  until  someone  with  whom  he 
had  a  quarrel  denounced  him  as  a  papist  and  former  rebel.  His  brother  otticc-rs 
backed  him  up,  and  signed  a  declaration  that  he  had  "  always  conducted  him- 
self with  great  loyality  and  zeal,  and  behaved  in  every  respect  as  an  oihcer  aiul  a 
gentleman." 

Yet,  after  this,  he  left  the  arm^^  and  retired  into  private  life  at  W'orceslrr. 
where  he  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  a  well-known  character  in  the  town.  A  caricature 
from  the  window  of  a  Worcester  bookseller  is  the  only  likeness  we  possess  of  him. 

In  the  same  tin  box  in  which  we  found  the  declaration  by  the  officers  of  "  The 
Fifteenth  "  was  an  old  deed  relative  to  lands  held  by  the  Byrnes  in  Count}-  Louth 
in  the  time  of  Charles  I.,  with  a  full  length  seal  effigy  of  the  King  attached.  ( )ne 
of  the  words  decipherable  in  the  forest  of  doggerel  Latin  of  which  the  deed  is  com- 
posed is  "  Rossmakea." 

In  conclusion,  let  us  take  a  birds-eye  view  of  the  descent  of  the  County  Louth 
branch  of  the  Byrnes  from  the  time  that  John  Byrne  came  from  Wicklow  in  the 
year  1588  to  the  time  of  my  grandfather  John  and  my  granduncle  Pat.  The 
following  table  puts  this  portion  of  the  genealogy  in  perha])s  the  most  succinct 
fashion : 

John  Byrne  (of  Wicklow)  i^MS. 
Edmuud  Byrne  in.  Margaret  Taaffe. 


Thomas  Byrne.       Gerald  Byrne  m.  Catherine  Pliinkett.       John  Byrrie. 


Owen  Byrne.  Arthur  Byrne.        Henry  Byrne.  I-'rancis  Byrne. 

)n.  Elizabeth  Taaffe  1671 

i  

Wm.  Byrne  m.  Jane  MacDonnell.  PATRICK  BYRNE.  George  B>rne. 

I  The  Pirate).  (of  S.  at<nvn) 

I 

George  Byrne  Henry  Byriit  . 

Henry  Byrne  in.  Marie  Begg.        Margaret  Byrne  m.  Thomas  Russell.        Cath(  riii<-  Byrii.MJi.  Kichcl,  B.irnrw.ill 


PATRICK  BYRNE.       JOHN  BYRNE        He  nry  liyrne.       Mary  Byrne.       Hli/.ilx  th  Byrne.       Ann.-  B\ni.- 

1)1.  Caroline  Byrn. 


Anna  Maria  Byrne  m.  William  Kirwan. 


PATRICK  KIRWAN  (the  writi  r  of  this  anicU  ). 


mjc  ©vifliu  of  ^(risl)  motes.* 


HE  scientific  investigation  of  Irish  Earthworks  is  only  in  its 
infancy.  The  first  Ordnance  Surveyors  in  the  3rd  decade 
of  the  last  century  seem  to  have  been  careful  to  mark  on 
their  maps  all  earthworks  that  they  observed,  and  though 
many  have  been  omitted,  and  though  the  different  types  of 
earthwork  are  by  no  means  always  distinctly  indicated,  and 
are  sometimes  indicated  incorrectly,  these  early  maps  are  a 
great  help  in  guiding  the  field-worker  and  in  preserving  a 
record  of  earthworks  which  have  since  disappeared.  The 
Ordnance  Survey  Letters  (still  unpubhshed)  contain  many  useful  notices  of  the  princi- 
pal earthworks  in  each  parish.  The  spade  has  hardly  been  employed  at  all,  except 
ignorantly  and  mischievously,  as  recently  at  Tara.  Much  useful  field-work  has 
been  done  sporadically,  by  individuals,  and  their  descriptions  of  existing  remains 
in  parts  of  the  country  lie  scattered  in  our  archaeological  journals  ;  but  much  more 
remains  to  be  done,  and  done  more  systematically,  before  we  can  obtain  a  complete 
and  accurate  survey. 

It  is  necessary  at  the  outset  of  an}-  scientific  treatment  of  Earthworks  that 
some  uniform  system  of  classification  should  be  adopted,  and  with  this  object  archae- 
ologists cannot  do  better  than  follow  the  classification  recommended  by  the  Congress 
of  Archaeological  Societies,  though  some  further  sub-divisions  may  have  to  be  made. 
The  present  paper  is  concerned  with  groups  D  &  E  in  this  scheme  of  classification, 
(koup  E  consists  of  "  Fortified  Mounts,  either  artificial  or  partly  natural,  with  traces 
of  an  attached  court  or  bailey,  or  of  two  or  more  such  courts."  With  reference  to 
this  description  it  must,  however,  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  attached  court  or 
bailey  may  have  been  obliterated  by  cultivation  or  other  alteration  of  the  ground 
surface.  Indeed,  we  have  clear  evidence  that  this  has  been  done  in  several  cases. 
The  earthwork  would  then  have  the  appearance  of  those  of  group  D. — viz.,  "  Forts, 
consisting  only  of  a  mount  with  encircling  ditch  or  fosse."  Indeed,  the  distinction 
between  these  two  classes  appears  to  be  a  subordinate  one,  and  may  for  present 
purposes  be  ignored.  Fortified  mounts  wholly  or  partly  artificial,  whether  with 
or  without  an  attached  court  or  bailey,  are  commonly  called  in  Ireland  '  motes.' 
There  is  indeed  good  reason  to  think  that  the  term  '  mote,'  which  is  not  a  native 
Irish  word,  but  a  French  term  introduced  by  the  Normans  in  the  twelfth  century, 
was  originally,  applied  exclusively  to  such  fortified  mounts,  though  afterwards, 
as  we  shall  see,  the  use  of  the  term  was  extended. 

Ireland  possesses  some  spe*^  al  advantages  over  England  as  a  field  for  the  study 
of  the  origin  and  use  of  motes.    Existing  motes  are  perhaps  more  numerous  than 


This  payier  was  read  at  the  Dubhn  Meetintr  of  the  British  Association  in  September,  1908. 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCH/KOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


51 


those  of  the  sister  country,  and  contain  among  them  some  exami)lL'S  less  mutilate. 1 
than  any  to  be  found  there.  Moreover,  from  the  known  history  of  Ireland,  tlu' 
peoples  to  whom  the  erection  of  motes  can  be  ascribed  are  practically  reduced"  to 
three  : — i.  '  The  Celtic  Tribes,'  meaning  thereby  the  race  or  races  that  exclusively 
occupied  Ireland  prior  to  the  Scandinavian  invasions  of  the  ninth  and  tenth  centuries. 
2.  '  The  Scandinavian  invaders  '  themselves.  3.  '  The  Normans  '  (including  tlu-ir 
followers  of  whatever  race),  who  first  came  to  Ireland  in  iifx).  W  e  are  therefore 
not  disturbed  by  any  possible  theory  of  a  Roman  origin  for  those  earthworks  ; 
nor  can  they  be  '  Saxon  burhs,'  once  a  favourite,  but  now  a  nearly  ex})loded,  theory 
with  regard  to  motes  in  England.  Irish  motes  must  be  either  Celtic.  Scandiiia\  ian, 
or  Norman  in  origin. 

(A.)  The  hypothesis  of  the  Scandina\'ian  origin  of  Irish  motes,  though  once 
widely  held  by  the  learned  in  Ireland,  and  still  perhaps  the  popular  belief,  has  little 
to  recommend  it,  and  is  now  generally  discredited  by  those  who  have  studied  the 
question.  Fortified  mounts  of  the  type  in  question  seem  to  be  at  least  \'erv  rare 
in  the  countries  from  which  the  Northmen  came,  and  their  distribution  in  Ireland 
does  not  coincide  with  the  districts  which  seem  to  have  been  dominated  by  the 
Vikings.  Thus  they  are  rare  or  non-existent  in,  or  in  the  innnediate  neighbour- 
hood of,  the  great  vScandinavian  seaport  towns  :  Dublin,  Wicklow,  Arklow,  Wex- 
ford, Waterford,  Cork,  and  Limerick. ^  They  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  County 
Armagh,  though  Armagh  is  stated  to  have  been  for  some  years  the  seat  of  Tuirgeis. 
Nor  has  his  dun  at  Lough  Ree,  nor  Amlaff's  dun  at  Clondalkin,  nor  the  longporl 
at  Linn  Duachaill,  been  identified  with  a  mote.^  Motes  are  very  rare  in  Connauglit 
and  West  Munster,  which,  in  the  3'ears  preceding  the  time  of  Brian  Borumha.  seem 
to  have  been  specially  dominated  by  the  Northmen.  The  '  Danish  theory  of  motes,' 
which  is  as  old  as  Edmund  Spenser,  was  supported  in  the  eighteenth  century  in  this 
way.  Because  great  sepulchral  mounds  had  been  observed  in  Denmark  it  was 
rashly  assumed  that  all  the  great  Irish  sepulchral  mounds — e.g.,  New  (jrange,  ^:e.. 
were  Danish.  The  theory  of  a  Danish  origin  was  then  extended  to  fortified  mounds 
of  the  mote-type,  as  bearing  a  superficial  resemblance  to  the  sepulchral  mounds, 
and  even,  quite  gratuitously,  to  the  Irish  ecclesiastical  Round  Towers. 

(B.)  The  theory  of  the  Celtic  origin  of  motes  was  the  one  most  favoured  by 
writers  of  the  last  century,  and  its  claims  to  acceptance  have  been  re-stated  and 
strenuously  urged  in  Ireland  within  the  past  few  years.  We  may  here  note  some 
of  the  difficulties  which  this  theory  has  to  encounter. 

1.  — The  local  distribution  of  motes  is  impossible  to  ex])lain  on  any  hypothesis 
which  would  ascribe  them  to  the  Celtic  tribes  generally.  Motes  are  found  in  numbers 
throughout  the  eastern  parts  of  Ireland,  but  are  very  rare  or  non-existent  in  I'lster 
west  of  the  Bann,  in  Connaught,  and  in  West  Munster.  No  atteni])t  has  been  made 
by  the  upholders  of  the  Celtic  theory  to  account  for  this  curiously  irregular  distri- 
bution. 

2.  — Though  there  are  descriptions  in  native  Irish  Literature  of  Celtic  fortresses 
surrounded  by  ram.parts  and  ditches,  and  of  stockaded  islands,  no  allusion  to  a  lofty 
artificial  mount  as  part  of  a  Celtic  fort  has  been  produced  or  is  known  to  me. 

1.  The  Norman  caHtle  at  Wexford,  now  represented  by  barrack.^,  was  on  a  mot*-.  I)iit  tlnm-  is  no 
reason  to  ascribe  it,  any  more  than  the  castles  to  the  Scandinavians.  Then-  was  a  St  anchiiax  ian  iii.iiiiil 
outside  Dubhn,  but  there  is  reason  to  think  it  was  not  a  fortress -mount . 

2.  Linn  Duachaill  wa,s  a  ship-shelter  of  the  Nf)rthmen  near  the  junction  of  the  rivers  Clyde  uid 
Dee  in  the  Co.  Louth  (see  note  Wars  of  the  Gaedhill  irith  tlw  C.hUI,  p.  l.xii).  The  longfxrrt  at  l.inii 
Duachaill  (Ann.  Ulst.,  840)  can  I  think  be  confidently  identifiet.  >vith  a  headlan<l  fort  at  thr  mouth 
of  the  Clyde,  called  Lis  na  Rann  (probably  liof  iia  junn).  Set  Fiisttiry  of  KiLs.iran.  by  thr  It.  v. 
J.  B.  Leslie,  p.  93.  T.  Wright  figures  it  in  lonthinvn,  an<i  calls  it  a  Damsh  fort  by  the  Pass  of  l.yiiiis 
upon  the  banks  of  the  sea."  For  once  I  believe  his  Danish  ascription  is  <  orn  (  t.  and  thr  fort.  win.  Ii 
contains  no  mote  or  moimt,  is  a  most  valuable  example  of  a  (  h  arly  idrntifird  Danish  forV. 


52 


'iiir.  oKiciN  oi'  iKisii  M')ii:s. 


].  Tlicrc  arc  i^ood  grounds  tor  t  liiiikiii.i;  tlial  at  the  time  ol  the  Xoriiiaii 
Iiu  asioii  tlic  Irish  had  few  oi  no  pi  ix  alc  casllcs  ol  aiiv  sorl .  Only  seven  pre- 
Noniiaii  casll^'S  {C(tis/cin)  are  uieiit ioiie'l  in  the  Irish  Annals.  Their  ])recise 
ihaiaetn  is  unc-ertain,  hut  onls'  at  one  ot  the  i)hiees  mentioned  as  their  sites — 
\i/..,  Alhlone,  is  tliere  a  mote:  and  a  Norman  easlle  was  erected  at  Athlone  in 
ijiu,  and  its  suec-essor  still  surrounds  the  original  mote.'^ 

.}.  (ierald  de  Harri,  who  had  coniplele  means  of  knowing  the  facts,  as  regards 
tile  east  of  Ireland  at  any  rate,  says  :  "  The  Irish  pay  no  attention  to  castles,  but 
usf  the  woods  as  their  strongholds  and  the  marshes  as  their  entrenchments."'' 

5.  'idiough  we  ha\e  two  nearl>'  contemporary  detailed  accounts  of  Strongbow's 
inv  asion,  there  is  no  mention  in  them,  or  in  any  other  source,  of  the  siege  or  assault 
of  an  Irisli  Castle. 

Those  who  believe  in  the  Irish  origin  of  motes  do  not  indeed  contend  that  they 
were  in  use  when  the  Normans  came.  They  think  that  they  had  been  long  aban- 
doned, and  their  origin  so  far  forgotten  that  they  represent  (mistakenly  indeed) 
(ierald  de  Barry  as  ascribing  them  to  Turgesius  the  Dane.^  In  short  the  only  rival 
to  the  Norman  theory  current  to-day  is  one  which  ascribes  motes  to  the  very  dawn 
of  Irish  history,  to  the  time  of  St.  Patrick,  and  even  to  the  previous  legendary 
period  of  heroes,  demi-gods,  and  full-fledged  divinities. 

The  main  argument  relied  on  to  prove  this  theory  is  that  in  some  few  cases  there 
is  documentary  evidence  referring  to  the  existence  in  the  fourth  to  the  tenth  centur3\ 
or  even  in  some  entirely  pre-historic  period,  of  a  dun,  rath,  lis,  cathair,  or  other 
Celtic  fort,  in  a  more  or  less  closely  defined  locaHty,  where  a  mote  is  now  to  be  seen. 
Hence  it  is  concluded  that  the  mote  is  the  dun,  &c.,  mentioned.  A  more  fallacious 
argument  it  is  not  easy  to  imagine.  No  one  would  think  of  applying  it  to  any 
structure  sa\'e  an  earthwork.  Even  assuming  that  the  exact  site  of  a  stone  structure 
built  by  some  particular  people,  say  in  the  tenth  century,  was  recorded  and  clearly 
identified,  who  would  think  of  asserting  that  a  stone  building  (known,  too,  by  an 
alien  name)  existing  on  that  site  was  the  tenth  century  structure,  without  at  least 
first  proving,  on  independent  grounds,  that  the  existing  building  conformed  in  class 
and  style  to  other  buildings  erected  by  that  people  at  that  period  ? 

(C.)  When  we  examine  the  remaining  hypothesis  that  to  the  Normans  was 
due  the  introduction  and  use  of  motes  in  Ireland  we  find  a  mass  of  facts  of  various 
kinds  all  tending  to  demonstrate  its  truth.  These  may  be  summarily  stated  as 
follows  :  — 

(I.)  The  Normans  had  already  adopted  this  type  of  fortress  in  Normandy 
in  the  eleventh  century.  This  is  not  disputed,  and  is  indicated  by  the  enormous 
nund^er  of  motes  in  Normandy  at  the  capita  of  Norman  fiefs,  by  some  contemporary 
allusions,  and  by  pictures  of  them  in  the  Bayeux  Tapistry. 

(2.)  The  first  castles  erected  by  the  Normans  in  England  and  the  borders  of 
Wales  have  been  shown  by  Mrs.  Armitage  and  others  to  be  nearly  all  of  this  type, 
and  we  actually  have  in  the  Bayeux  Tapistry  a  clear  picture  of  Normans  raising 
a  mote  fortress,  called  a  castellum,  at  Hastings.  This  again  is,  in  the  main, 
generally  admitted. 

The  Normans  then  were  mote-builders,  and  the  hypothesis  that  the  Irish  motes 
w^ere  built  by  them  postulates,  so  to,  speak,  a  vera  causa.    It  is  true  .that  the  Normans 

;i.  See  my  paper  on  Athlone  Castle,  Journ.  R.S.A.I.,  vol:  xxxvii.  (1907)  p.  257. 

4.  Gir.  Camb.,  vol.  v.,  p.  183  :  Hibernicus  enim  populus  castella  non  curat.  Silvis  namque  })ro 
castris,  ])ahidibus  utitur  pro  fossatis. 

5.  This  locus  classicus  from  Giraklus  Cambrensis,  vol.  v.,  p.  182,  is  quoted  and  the  various  render- 
ings discussed  in  my  paper  on  '  Motes  and  Norman  Castles  in  Ireland,'  Journ.  R. S.A.I,  vol.  xxxvii. 
(1907),  pp.  148-150. 


COUNTY   LOHTH   A  RCH.KOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


53 


did  not  come  to  Ireland  until  a  century  after  the  battle  of  Hastiiii;s.  and  in  tlu-  iiu-an- 
time  had  built  many  stone  castles  in  Englan.i.  but  it  is  easv  to  sec  tliat  llic  con- 
ditions of  their  occupation  in  Ireland  would  necessitate  tlicir  a(loj)tiiiL^  a  Ivpc  of 
fortress  inferior  indeed  to  a  great  stone  structure,  but  one  witliui  llicir  powers  and 
not  unsuited  to  their  immediate  requirements.  When  they  first  began  to  settle 
down  in  parts  of  Ireland,  principally  in  Leinster,  Meath,  and  Eastern  Tlstc-r.  what 
they  wanted  immediately  was  a  stronghold  in  each  manor  in  which  the  lord  and  his 
retainers  could  defend  themselves  against  a  sudden  attack,  until  a  sullicicnl  force 
could  be  collected  to  meet  the  enemy  in  the  open.  They  could  not  wait  to  build 
a  regular  stone-keep  with  a  high-walled  bailey,  nor  could  they  easily  connnand 
the  materials  and  the  skilled  labour  necessary.  On  the  other  hand  l)y  c()nd)inati<)n 
amongst  themselves  and  by  the  assistance  of  friendly  tribes  (and  we  ha\-e  e\-idence 
that  both  of  these  means  were  adopted)  they  could  command  the  unskilled  labour 
requisite  for  erecting  a  mote  and  digging  the  necessary  fosses.  Plentiful  forests 
supphed  the  materials  for  the  palisades  and  tiirris-lii^jicd .  And  the  result  was  a 
well  protected  tower,  set  on  high,  fro.ni  which  a  handful  of  archers  could  kee]) 
an  unarmoured  host  at  bay. 

(3.)  There  is  unimpeachable,  direct,  documentary  evidence  that  the  Xornians 
did  in  fact  erect  certain  motes  in  Ireland.  Thus  we  are  told  in  the  "  vSong  of  Derniot 
that  Richard  the  Fleming  erected  a  mote  at  Slane  and  kept  a  goodly  force  there 
of  knights,  archers  and  sergeants  to  destroy  his  enemies  ;  and  that  Hugh  de  Lacv's 
chastel  at  Trim  comprised  a  mote  surrounded  by  a  fosse  and  palisade.  The  mote 
at  Slane  still  remains  on  the  top  of  the  hill,  but  that  at  Trim  was  probably  le\-elled 
to  form  the  great  platform  with  scarped  side  towards  the  ri\'er,  within  the  enceinte 
of  the  later  castle.  At  Roscrea  we  have  the  evidence  of  an  inquisition  that  a  iiiofu 
et  hritagium  was  erected  in  1213,  but  this  too  must  have  been  levelled  lor  the 
Edwardian  castle  built  there  in  1277-8.''  Then  we  have  an  allusion  in  a  Wexford 
charter  to  a  mote  raised  [motam  quam  levavit)  by  a  Norman  on  the  l)oundary  of  the 
forest  of  Ros  ;  and  an  allusion  in  the  Irish  Pipe  Rolls  (1298)  to  building  a  wall  round 
the  mote  {mota)  which  still  exists  at  Newcastle,  Co.  Wicklow  ;  and  an  incpiisition 
of  1307  shows  that  there  was  then  a  mote  {mota)  within  the  enceinte  of  Kilkenn\ 
Castle.  It  is  known  then  that  the  Normans  were  mote-builders,  and  that  the\ 
built  motes  in  Ireland,  and  these  facts  have  not  been  proved  of  an>-  other  peo})le. 

Having  thus  established  the  position  that  the  Normans  were,  so  to  speak, 
a  vera  causa  of  mote-erection  in  Ireland.  I  have  proceeded  to  test  in  e\  ery  wax- 
open  to  me  the  hypothesis  that  they  were  the  sole  cause  of  mote-erection  there. 
First  of  all  I  made  a  list  of  all  the  townlands  in  Ireland  (about  52  in  nund)er).  which 
involve  the  term  '  mote  '  as  an  element  in  their  names."  and  I  found  that  these  t(.)wn- 
lands  all  lie  within  districts  occupied  by  the  Norman  in\aders  in  the  late  twelfth 
and  first  half  of  the  thirteenth  centuries.  In  general  at  least  they  point  to  a  forti- 
fied mount  of  either  class  1)  or  class  E  as  the  origin  of  their  names.  In  some  cases, 
however,  especially  in  Connaught,  to  which  the  Normans  did  not  ])enetrate  so  early 
as  to  the  eastern  parts  of  Ireland,  these  mote-names  seem  to  ])()int  to  a  rectanguhu 
fortress  surrounded  by  a  ditch,  often  a  wet  ditch,  belonging  to  eitlier  class  V  01  (\. 
in  which  the  enclosed  platform  is  only  raised  a  few  feet  above  the  general  level. 
There  is  reason  to  think  that  these  rectangular  fortresses,  of  which  there  are  nian\ 
examples  in  districts  occupied  by  the  Normans,  were  also  of  Norman  construction  : 
and  the  inference  seems  to  be  that  the  term  mote,  originalh  a])])lie(l  onl\-  to  the 

(■).  For  the  authorities  as  to  Shine  ati-l  'riiin  sc(>  Kmilish  ll,sl,„ical  li,  m  ir  (  I'.MiT).  |.|.  •_>:{:{  I  ;  .iii<! 
as  to  Roscrea  ihid,  p.  454. 

7.  See  my  paper  on  '  .Mote  and  I'.rdcsi  lie  I'.uildin^  in  Inlatid/  F.  iitjl  1 1  i.-<lnnr,tl  H,  n,  ir  (I'.MXi). 
pp.  417-444. 

II 


54 


Tin:  ()i<i(;iN  oi    livisii  Mo'J'i'S. 


l(»lt\-  moiiiids  ot  classes  1)  and  IC,  was  at tcrvvai ds  soiiict iiiics  cxttMidcd  U)  (leiiotc 
tlu-  irctaii.L;ular  I'orts  ol"  which  the  (htcli  was  the  chief  feature.  The  transference 
would  he  rendered  all  the  easier  if  I  am  ri.i^ht  in  sup])()sin^  l)()th  chisses  of  fortresses 
to  he  Norman,  and  the  douhle  use  of  the  term  may  possihly  have  originated  the 
.unhiguity  which  to-(hiy  hesels  the  word  '  mote  '  or  '  moat.' 

(5.)  Hut  the  naming  of  townhuids  is  ca])ricious,  and  I  next  joroceeded  to  apply 
a  more  crucial  test.  I  made  a  list  of  the  ])r(>l)able  sites  of  those  castles  in  Ireland 
the  erection  or  existence  of  which  prior  to  the  close  of  King  John's  reign  is  recorded, 
or  in  some  few  cases  may  safely  be  inferred,  with  a  view  to  ascertaining  whether 
these  sites  include  earthworks  of  the  mote-type."  It  is  not  easy  to  state  the  result 
in  unimpeachable  figures,  for  to  some  minds  a  few  of  my  identifications  may  not 
be  conx  incing  ;  but  there  are  about  82  castles  on  my  list  the  approximate  sites  of 
which  may  i)e  considered  established,  and  I  do  not  think  I  am  exaggerating  in 
stating  that  in  about  80  per  cent,  of  these  cases  the  mote  which  probably  formed 
the  original  castle-site  can  be  pointed  out.  That  is  to  say,  either  an  existing  mote 
is  the  only  known  castle-site  in  the  place  indicated,  or,  where  there  exists  or  is  known 
to  have  existed  a  later  stone  castle,  there  is  a  mote,  or  in  a  few  cases  clear  evidence 
of  the  former  existence  of  a  mote,  in  immediate  connexion  with,  or  in  the  near  neigh- 
bourhood of,  such  castle,  and  the  inference  I  draw  is  that  the  mote  in  each  case 
represents  the  original  castle-site.  About  nine  per  cent,  of  the  recorded  castles 
were  probably  from  the  first  situated  upon  a  rock,  which  sometimes  served  as  a 
ready-made  mote,  while  in  the  case  of  about  eleven  per  cent,  no  mote  or  actual 
evidence  of  a  mote  has  been  traced  at  the  apparent  sites.. 

(6.)  But  of  course  there  were  many  castles  erected  by  the  Normans  of  which 
no  record  has  reached  us.  Another  obvious  test  then  is  to  examine  the  local  distri- 
bution of  motes,  and  see  whether  it  coincides  with  the  districts  occupied  by  the 
Normans  during  the  presumed  mote-building  period.  We  must,  however,  bear  in 
mind  that  owing  to  the  extreme  paucity  of  records  we  cannot  be  certain  that  we 
know  accurately  the  entire  field  covered  by  the  Norman  occupation.  Moreover, 
to  apply  the  test  thoroughly,  we  should  have  a  complete  systematic  survey 
of  all  earthworks  of  classes  D  and  H,  and  this  survey  has  unfortunately  not  yet  been 
made.  I  have,  however,  specially  compiled  for  my  own  guidance  as  full  a  list  as 
I  could,  including  not  only  such  motes  as  I  have  myself  visited  and  verified,  but  all 
others  of  which  I  consider  I  have  trustworthy  notices.  This  list  is  too  imperfect  to 
publish  at  present,  but  the  result  is  a  total  of  245  motes,  distributed  as  follows  : — 
In  the  Lordship  of  Ivcinster  there  are  75  motes.  In  the  lyordship  of  Meath  (which 
included  Westmeath  and  parts  of  Longford  and  King's  County)  63  motes.  In  the 
Ivordship  of  Ulster  (or  the  Counties  of  Down  and  Antrim,  to  which  I  have  added 
English  Uriel,  approximately  the  County  Louth)  50  motes.  In  what  I  may  call 
"  Crown  Lands/'  viz..  County  Dublin,  the  eastern  part  of  County  Wicklow,  the 
County  Waterford  and  the  Castles  of  Athlone  and  Roscrea,  25  motes.  In  the  rest 
of  Munster,  mainly  in  the  counties  of  Tipperar}^  and  Limerick  and  in  places  which 
appear  from  our  records  to  have  been  occupied  by  the  Normans  prior  at  least  to  the 
year  1215,  23  motes.  In  all  Connaught  I  can  count  only  7  earthworks  which  can 
be  classified  as  motes,  and  these  are  in  parts  to  which  the  Normans  appear  to  have 
early  penetrated.  While  in  all  Irish  Ulster  (the  counties  of  Donegal,  Londonderry, 
Tyrone,  Armagh,  Fermanagh,  Cavan,  and  Monaghan)  I  know  of  only  two  motes — 
viz.,  Kilmore  in  Cavan,  and  Clones  in  Monaghan,  and  these,'  very  significantly,  are 
the  recorded  sites  of  out-lying  Norman  castles.^ 

8.  English  Historical  Review  (1907),  pp  228-254  and  440-467. 

9.  The  Castle  of  Kilmore  was  restored  to  Walter  de  Lacy  in  1215:  Cal.  Docts.  Irel.,  vol.  i..  No. 
612.  Its  identity  with  Kilmore,  Co.  Cavan,  appears  ibid.  Nos.  1203,  1204.  For  the  Castle  of 
Clones  see  Ann.  Ulster,  1212. 


COUNTY    LOTTH    ARCH.^- OLOG  UWL  JOTIvNAL 


The  list  is  probably  iucomplete.  Indeed,  I  have  omitted  some  ])ossihle  examples 
— all  in  the  Nornianized  districts  however — which  on  present  information  seem  to 
be  doubtful.  The  list  too,  from  faulty  information  may  perhaps  wrongly  include 
some  few  earthworks  which  ought  to  be  assigned  to  a  different  class.  Xe\-erthe- 
less  I  think  it  will  be  found  to  represent  fairly  the  local  distribution  of  motes  in 
Ireland  ;  and  taken  in  connexion  with  the  known  history  of  the  Xorman  occupation, 
the  distribution  of  motes  can,  I  think,  only  be  explained  on  the  hypothesis  tliat 
they  were  erected  by  the  early  Normans.  They  are  to  be  found  where  the  Normans 
settled,  or  at  least  attempted  to  settle,  within  about  50  years  of  their  coming, 
where  else. 

The  connexion  of  motes  with  Norman  castles  becomes  e\-en  more  certain  when 
we  examine  their  precise  positions,  for  in  most  cases  it  can  be  shown  that  they  were 
at  the  capita  of  early  Norman  manors.  Furthermore  it  seems  probable  that  the 
large  majority  of  these  motes  were  erected  before  the  close  of  the  twelfth  centurw 
though  some  were  certainly  erected  in  the  first  two  decades  of  the  thirteenth.  Hut 
by  this  time,  in  the  more  settled  districts,  stone  castles  began  to  be  erected.  These 
very  often  included  the  original  mote,  and  were  sometimes  little  more  than  a  re- 
placement of  the  original  wooden  defences  with  stone.  Thus  we  find  stone  castles, 
or  the  ruins  or  traces  of  castles,  or  other  stone  defences,  on  the  summit  or  in  the 
bailey  of  the  following  (among  other)  motes  : — Castleknock.  Carbury.  Athlone. 
Clonmacnois,  Newcastle  (Co.  Wicklow),  Castlekevin,  Knocktopher.  Wexford. 
Durrow,  Granard,  Moylagh,  Diamor,  Derver,  Rathwire,  Ardnurcher,  Kilbixi. 
Donaghmoyne.  Killany,  Faughart,  Castlering,  Castleguard,  Rathskeagh,  Shanid. 
Knockgraffon,  Kilfeacle,  Donohill,^°  and  the  list  might  be  largely  extended,  with- 
out mentioning  the  castles  of  Kilkenny,  Trim,  Mullingar,  Roscrea,  and  Thurles, 
where  w^e  have  clear  evidence  of  the  former  existence  of  a  mote.  Altogether,  stone 
castles,  or  at  least  traces  of  ancient  masonry,  have  been  obserxed  in  connexion 
with  the  earthworks  of  upwards  of  50  motes. 

Probably  the  use  of  motes  as  part  of  the  earthworks  of  early  Norman  castles 
will  no  longer  be  contested,  but  those  who  cling  to  pre-conceived  ideas  still  maintain 
that  the  Normans  may  have  merely  occupied  and  utilized  '  Celtic  motes.'  assuming 
such  to  have  been  in  existence.  Now  that  the  Normans  made  use  of  Celtic  raths 
and  duns  when  in  suitable  positions,  and  raised  a  mount  within  them,  is  very  prob- 
able, and  the  supposition  may  account  for  peculiarities  in  some  of  their  baileys  and 
defences  ;  but  to  suppose  that  mote-fortresses  were  in  use  when  the  Normans  came 
would,  apart  from  all  other  objections,  lead  to  this  incredible  conclusion,  thai  the 
Normans  effected  an  early  conquest  and  settlement  }jrecisel>-  in  those  parts  of  Ireland 
which  were  amply  defended  by  mote-fortresses,  but  were  repulsed  and  failed  in  those 
parts  where  there  were  none.  While  to  maintain,  as  has  been  done,  that  the  nu-te- 
fortresses  were  prehistoric  and  had  been  abandoned  by  the  Irish  long  prior  to  the 
Norman  invasion,  would  involve  the  equally  incredible  proi)()siti()n  that  the  type 
of  fortress  adopted  by  the  Normans,  the  foremost  military  engineers  of  the  eleventh 
and  twelfth  centuries,  had  been  known  to  and  used  by  some  Irish  tribc-s  from  the 
dawn  of  history,  and  was  afterwards  abandoned  by  them  for  tlu-  ])rotcction  ol  woods 
and  morasses. 

I  must  add  a  word  of  caution.  .Motes  must  of  course  \)v  distinguislu-d  from 
sepulchral  mounds,  but  further  they  nuist  be  distinguished  fr<,m  Inauguration 
mounds,  Assembly  mounds,  mounds  used  at  the  great  Celtic  .\onachs.  originally 
perhaps  for  some  primiti\'e  religious  rites,  afterward>^  as  '  grand-stands  '  to  \-ii-w 

10.  I  have  contribiite<l  mono^'raphs  on  the  Castle.s  of  .Athlon.-.  .\'cu ca-^t Ir  ((  '...  Wickhiw).  mu\  ("iistlc- 
kevin  to  the  Journal  R.S..\.I.  I'HXi-T,  and  a  })ai)er  on  the  County  Lontli  .M..t.-  (  H.sllert  apprared  111 
the  same  Journal  for  1908.  pj).  •241--2(){>. 


56 


'I'HF".  oRKiiN  oi-   ii^isii  vroTics. 


llu  siX'i  ts,  'iMu'Sc  nioniids  I  luiii])  t o^cl licr  ))i ovisionally  as  '  Ccrimonial  Mounds.' 

Tlu'V  wvw  ol'li'ii  artiluial,  and  inan\  of  llicni  prohably  originated  in  prehistoric 
tiuirs.  TlicN'  arc  to  he  Inuiid  a1  llic  j^rcat  ])o]iti(;o-r('li^ious  centres  of  early  Ireland  : 
l'<tnain  Maelia,  Crna(-liaii,  Ta'a,  Ksnccli  ;  and  at  the  inauguration  places  of  indi- 
vidual lril)cs  :  TuUaghog,  Cloglier,  Carn  Anialgaid,  Carnfree,  Magh  Adhair,  cK:c. 
Perhaj^s  we  mav  detect  Scandinavian  '  Tliinglioges  '  at  Oreenniount  near  J.inn 
Duacliaill  in  Louth,  and  at  the  mound,  called  'la  Hogges,'  which  fortnerly  stood 
just  outside  Scandinavian  l)ul)lin.  These  mounds  sometimes  bear  a  superficial 
resemblance  to  motes,  but  even  when  not  indicated  by  records  or  tradition  they 
can  generally  be  distinguished  by  their  ])ositions,  their  styles,  the  absence  of  strong 
defences,  the  neighbourhopd  of  ])illar-stones,  inauguration  stones,  and  sepulchral 
mounds.  To  grou])  them  with  motes,  or  fortress-mounds  of  class  D  and  B,  is  only 
to  court  confusion.  It  has  nevertheless  been  done,  and  has  created  one  of  the 
chief  obstacles  to  the  recognition  of  the  Norman  origin  of  motes  in  Ireland.  The 
false-grouping  is  probably  partly  due  to  a  false  etymology,  the  Romanic  or  French 
word  juoia  or  inotte,  '  a  mound  of  earth,'  having  been  confounded  with  the  Teutonic 
word  mot,  '  a  meeting.'  Moreover  the  Saxon  and  Scandinavian  meetings  or  assem- 
blies, to  which  this  latter  word  was  applied,  seem  often,  like  Celtic  ones,  to  have 
taken  place  at  an  artificial  mount.  Thus  to  the  superficial  similarity  of  the  earth- 
work was  added  a  superficial  similarity  of  the  name. 


GODDARD  H.  OrPEN. 


Here  lveththcbodu 
of  mr  patt  hanlon^ 
who  departed  this  life 


IRT  around  with  solinidje,.  and  graves  stands  the  ruin  of  Ne  wtown 
Church,  and  close  by"  its  eastern  wall  lie  the  ashes  of  the  O'llaiilous. 
They  have  been  laid  to  rest  in  no  ignoble  company,  for  hitlier  also 
death  has  borne  spoils  from  the  O'Reillys,  the  O'Neills,  the-  .M.ic- 
Canns — a  recognition  of  kinship  that  he  could  not  break,  'i'imo 
was  when  their  stirring  and  warful  career  rang  loud  across  the 
hills  of  Ulster,  but  to  the  visitor  at  their  tombs  no  echo  of  it  conu-s  ; 
the^^  bivouac  in  peace  upon  the  borders  of  the  Pale.    If  he  br  an 
Irishman,  truly  he  must  have  something  of  the  spirit   that    -would  pi-t.-|)  and 
botanize  upon  his  mother's  grave,"  who  could  gi\-e  undixided  thought  to  archa  - 
ology  in  the  midst  of  such  surroundings.    vSuch,  however,  is  my  present  task. 

The  O'Hanlon  tond:)  is  not  by  any  means  the  earliest  stone  in  Newtown,  but 
it  has  the  distinction  of  a  coat  of  arms  and  so  challenges  our  cliief  attention.  It 
is  a  large  recumbent  block  of  chiselled  limestone,  six  tc-i-t  b\-  three.  be\elled  and 
fluted  on  its  lower  edges  and  supported  at  either  end  by  an  u])right  slab.  Tudi-r- 
neath  the  coat  of  arms  we  read  the  following  in.scrij)tion  :  "  Ib-rc  l\-i'th  tlu-  bo.U' 
"of  Mr.  Patt.  Hanlon,  who  departed  this  life  Deer.,  lyy),  aged  .}J  years.  IKic 
"  also  lies  interred  Margaret  Hanlon,  who  (le})art(.(l  this  life  on  the  15th  May.  17'>7. 
"  aged  22  years.  And  Terence  O'Hanlon  father  to  both  tlie  former,  who  departetl 
"  this  life  on  the  4th  of  February,  1777.  aged  90  years."  The  inscription  as  such 
scarcely  calls  for  comment  ;  the  omission  of  the  ])rcri\  O  from  t  lu- surname  is  possibl\- 


58 


I.    OIIANI.ON    'lOMI'.    AND  AKMS. 


arroiiiiird  Ini  1)\  tlir  o]  )ci  al  i<  ►!  1  ol  tile  pciial  law'  a^aiiisl  (/aclic  sin  na  iiics.  hut  I 
tliiiik  il  not  likch  .  The  'rciciuc  incut  ioiicd  was  a  ^raiidsoii  ol  the  historic  Redmond 
Count  ()'llaidon.  It  was  lu-  who  caiiic  here  and  loundcd  the  Mount  I'.a^nal  family, 
and  cHH  tcd  this  stone  to  the  nienior\-  ol  his  children.  ( )ne  old  shanac-hie  I  have 
nu't  was  able  to  tell  nie  that  the  name  of  the  first  O'llanlon  of  Mount  I>a^n;d  was 
Tuilouj^h  Moi,^  a  more  Celtic-  and  more  fitting  name  than  thex'ersion  on  the  toml>. 

The  illustration  whieh  aec-om])anies  this  articde  will  serve  to  ex])laiii  the  coat 
of  aims  better  than  could  any  words  of  a  novice  in  heraldr>'.  On  the  shield  will 
he  sec-u  a  hoar  ])assant.  lie  is  an  ill-formed  s])ecimen  no  doubt,  and  if  the 
resurrected  <)rijj;inal  were  on  the  lists  for  Ardee  vShow  I  Tear  he  would  stand  a  poor 
c-hauce  for  honours.  Ilowex'er,  he  has  a  noteworthy  history,  which  will  be  glanced 
at  later  on.  The  crest  is  a  mailed  right  hand  grasping  a  dagger  ;  the  supports 
are  ap])arently  some  eoiu  eutional  ornament  wrought  in  at  the  whim  of  the  sculptor  ; 
the  motto  is  "  h'idelior  Nemo,"  being  in  English  "  No  one  more  loyal."  The  motto 
is  incised,  the  rest  is  wrought  out  in  bas-relief. 

And  now  to  the  story  of  our  "  Boar  passant."  Authorities  say  once  upon 
a  time  in  the  period  of  his  "  outlawry  "  Redmond  O'Hanlon  lay  down  in  the  woods 
to  rest,  and  being  very  weary  he  fell  asleep.  He  was  awakened  by  a  lizard  which 
crawled  and  re-crawled  across  his  face  ;  and  not  a  moment  too  soon,  for  he  saw 
a  gaunt  wild  boar  about  to  attack  him.  Seizing  his  arms  he  drove  the  boar  into 
the  depths  of  the  forest,  and  while  thus  in  the  pursuit  of  it,  a  strong  body 
of  the  English  enemy  came  to  the  very  place  where  he  had  been  sleeping. 
Hence  O'Hanlon  immortalized  his  saviours  the  boar,  and  the  lizard,  by  adopting 
their  effigies  for  his  shield  and  crest. 

O'Hart,  in  his  Irish  Pedigrees,  accepts  this  story,  and  quotes  the  quarterings 
of  the  Con^mghams  of  Letterkenny  amongst  whose  forebears  was  Catherine  daughter 
of  Redmond  Count  O'Hanlon,  but  there  is  the  suspicion  of  "  plot  "  in  the  little 
drama.  Anyhow  it  has  heretofore  been  accepted  that  the  "  Boar  "  was  the  peculiar 
shield  of  Redmond  and  his  lineal  descendants,^  a  "  blazing  hill  "  being  the  shield 
of  the  -clan  as  such.  My  shanachie  has  another  version.  The  boar  is  none  other 
than  the  "  Black  Pig"*  of  early  Irish  legend,  and  he  was  an  O'Hanlon  who  killed 
it.  As  above,  the  hero  fell  asleep  and  was  similarly  awakened  by  the  lizard,  but 
as  the  exigencies  of  history  do  not  demand  a  withdrawal,  the  boar  is  killed  on  the 
spot.  Though  it  brings  us  to  the  borderland  of  myth  and  ante-dates  the  boar's 
arri\'al  by  a  cycle.  I  prefer  this  latter  version  of  the  story.  On  referring  to  the  ac- 
companying drawing  one  misses  the  lizard  to  which  persistent  tradition  gives  pride 
of  place  ;  in  its  stead  the  hand  and  dagger  appear.    This  I  am  unable  to  explain. 

The  present  condition  of  the  tomb  calls  for  some  notice.  The  supporting 
slab  at  the  head  is  partiall}^  collapsed,  with  the  result  that  the  tombstone  dips  down 
to  the  ground  level,  careless  feet  and  the  lodgment  of  ever}^  rainfall  have  therefore 
full  scope  ;  the  w^onder  is  that  the  carving  has  been  able  to  resist  for  so  long  these 
allied  agencies  of  destruction.  When  we  bear  in  mind  that  the  tomb  affords  the 
only  extant  copy  of  the  arms  of  O'Hanlon  surely  we  might  expect  that  the  more 
loyal  members  of  the  now^  far-scattered  clan  will  see  to  it.  Much  harm  has  been 
already  done.    The  motto  is  practically  undecipherable.  ^   and  it  was  only  after 

1.  V.  Year  of  Edward  IV.  That  the  Irishmen  dwelling  in  the  counties  of  Dubhn,  Myeth,  Uriel 
and  Kildare  shall  go  apparelled  like  English  men,  and  wear  their  beards  after  the  English  manner, 
swear  allegiance  and  take  English  surnames. 

2.  ni6|i  ;  this  epithet  =greatness,  physically  or  socially. 

3.  O'Hart  Irish  Pedigrees,  p.  434. 

4.  The  very  interesting  story  of  the  Black  Pig  is  dealt  with  at  great  length  by  ^Ir.  Dolan.  M.A.. 
in  the  Co.  Louth  Archaeological  Joiirnal  of  1904,  and  asain  bv  loiicAn  p.'llA  niuijieA-OAi^  in  the 
issue  of  1905. 

f).  I  have  since  learned  that  the  O'Hanlon  motto  was  ."sought  for  in  every  known  source  and 
without  result,  so  that  it  had  very  nearly  come  to  be  a  secret  buried  in  the  toml). 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCH.KOLCXi  ICAL  JOURNAL. 


59 


repeated  rubbings  that  I  got  even  a  clue  to  it.  I'ollowing  the  line  of  least  resist anet- 
I  applied  to  a  friend  who  is  the  fortunate  owner  of  a  scries  of  plates  shewing  the 
Armonial  Bearings  of  the  leading  Irish  families  :  to  my  dismay  I  was  informed 
that  as  in  many  other  cases  the  motto  is  not  given,  and  so  I  had  to  try  it  first  hand. 
The  scroll  is  so  worn  that  there  is  not  a  perfect  letter  in  it.  save  only  "  ()."  the  re- 
mainder is  a  succession  of  parallel  and  slanting  lines  suggestive  of  ogham  :  my 
initial  difficulty  therefore  was  to  ascertain  what  language  was  used,  and  niv  second 
and  not  greater  was  to  determine  the  words.  Howex  er.  I  think  the  solntion  sub- 
mitted is  reliable. 

The  O'Hanlons  are  known  in  Irish  history  generally  as  the  Lords  of  Orior" 
and  hereditary  Standard  Bearers  of  Ulster,  and  the  fact  that  the  Kour  Masters 
record  the  death  of  each  succeeding  O'Hanlon  is  the  admitted  liallmark  of  their 
nobility.  Orior  was  truly  a  noble  patrimony;  commencing  at  the  Primatial  city 
and  including  the  modern  districts  of  Portadown  (south).  Goraghwood.  Camlough, 
Forkhill  and  Dromintee.  it  rested  on  the  northern  boundary  of  the  Pale.  The 
seat  of  the  family  was  at  Tandragee. '  As  one  should  expect,  they  were  principals 
in  mam'  a  hard  fought  fight  with  their  border  neighbours  of  the  Pale,  the  De\'erdons, 
sometimes  victors  and  sometimes  the  defeated.  However,  towards  the  end  of  the 
twelfth  centurs*  they  were  able  to  establish  a  claim  to  Black-rent^  from  the  Knglish 
of  Dundalk  and  district,  and  in  the  year  1341  actually  secured  a  treaty  to  that 
effect  between  themselves  and  the  De  Verdons  of  the  time,  which  treatr  was  ratitiefl 
by  the  King  of  England.  ^ 

The  Mount  Bagnal  people,  with  whom  this  article  is  mainly  concerned,  are 
lineal  descendants  of  Redmond  Count  O'Hanlon.  he  himself  being  of  the  southern 
branch  of  the  Tandragee  famih*.  This  unfortunate  gentleman  is — or  was  till  very 
recently' — unfortunate  even  in  his  memory,  for.  three  generations  or  so  ago  a  jierson 
of  the  swashbuckler  t^-pe  who,  whether  by  appropriation,  or  by  right,  bore  the  same 
name  and  choose  the  same  localities  for  the  exercise  of  his  genius,  set  himself  to 
emulate  the  deeds  of  the  Redmond  of  history-.  The  result  was  a  debased  parody, 
but  tradition  has  sadly  mixed  up  their  names  and  their  exploits,  and  local  memory 
fails  to  mark  between  the  personalities  whom  more  than  a  hundred  years  di\-ide. 

Like  many  of  his  fellow  Irish  nobles  Redmond  won  fame  and  a  title^**  in  Conti- 
nental wars,  and  later,  returned  to  give  his  sword  for  Ireland.  Single  handed  he 
defied  the  English  for  a  quarter  of  a  centur\-.  his  only  ally  being  as  it  is  said,  hope 
of  aid  from  France.  He  v.-as  no  less  brilliant  as  a  scholar  than  as  a  .soldier,  and  a 
contemporary  Englishman.  vSir  Francis  Brewster. likens  him  in  learning  to  ( )rrery 

().  Orior  is  a  moderately  accurate  renderins  of  v\i|icev\ji-- the  F'astcru  <  <iuutry.  It  <  o:ii|iri-^'-il 
practically  the  EaMcrn  half  of  Co.  Armagh.  It  niicrht  here  he  adcJed  tliat  the  lianis  or  l'>n-hons  <if  thr 
O'Hanlon.s  were  the  O'Hamills  ;  there  are  wise  lawgivers  of  that  name  still  with  ii.s. 

7.  The  O'Hanlon  of  Ehzabeth's  time-  -Eochy,  Oghie,  or  (now)  Hugliie,  took  the  tith-  uf  Sir. 
He  mast  have  Vjcen  a  man  characteristically  Irish  notwithstandinL'.  for  SfK-n.scr.  speaking  of  thr  rapid 
Irishi>ing  of  certain  English  families,  said  [Vieic  of  State  of  Ireland)  they  were  "  Com  5;.Mn.\r  le 
roin  tH  >iv\nnlu.Mn  as  the  proverb  there  is."    The  proverb  is  rertainly  ex|>res.sivr  l)nt  not  S|H-nsrriati. 

8.  A  tribute  in  money  or  kind  in  return  for  which  some  of  the  inon-  i'o\v«-rfiil  <  liii-fs  would  uiid.-r 
take  the  policin^r  of  the  border. 

9.  History  of  flu  Irish  Viceroy.^,  j).  llfi  ((iilljert). 

10.  Eriri  M.  S.  O  Hanluain,  Bla<  krock,  Dublin,  t<:  whom  I  am  indcbt*-*!  f<  r  much  valu  iblr  infor- 
mation, writes  :  "  The  fat  t  is  tliat  we  have  no  more  than  a  con.sensus  «if  opinion  tliat  H<dnuin<l  was 
a  Count  of  the  Kingdom  c  f  France.  Were  the  old  French  newspajK-rs  examined  however,  I  have  no 
doubt  we  should  get  more  information  on  the  point.  James  ('lark*  l.uby  gives  it  as  his 
0]>inion  that  it  was  merely  as  a  recognition  of  his  nobh-  liirth  that  the  Fren<  h  and  other  foreigm  iH 
called  Redmond  'Count.""" 

11.    •*  .\.s  accomjdished  as  Orrery,  or  Os«ory.  ...  a  scholar  and  a  nian  of  part-  This  Irish 

S'canflerberg  who,  considering  the  <lif!iculties  he  lay  under  an«l  the  time  he  continued  did  things  in  my 
opinion  more  to  be  admired  than  («lid)  Scanderlx  rw  In ms(  If."— Carte's  Ormoud.  .J»)urnal  II  .  pp.  "il-i- 
513,  original  e<lition. 


()() 


rill'.   o'llANLON  AND  ARMS. 


111  (laiiiii;  to  Sr;i  iK  li-i  1  )ci  i;.  In  I  ( ).S  i  lie  vv;is  sliol  while  aslcfj),  by  a  liiifd  assassin. 
()ii  this  otlicialh'  plaiiiud  iiiuKlcr  \vc  hcaiiily  adopt  llie  worcls  of  the  late  Michael 
I)a\itt  :  "The  1  )laekest -hea rt ed  seoiiiidrel  that  e\'er  bore  the  name  of  Ormonde 
biibed  a  near  iclativc  to  kill  him,  and  the  (k-ed  of  treatdiery  is  recorded  in  the  vState 
I'apers  signed  b\-  the  K(!rd  Lieutenant,  this  same  assassin  Ormonde."  n^. 
li'ft  behind  liim  three  brothers.  Louj^hlin,  Ivudmonn  and  John,  and  two  children^ 
Mai\.  who  married  into  the  Conyn^hams  of  Lelterkenny,  and  James  who 
was  father  lo  'I'erenee  (Turlouj^h  Mor),  who  erected  the  tomb  in  Newtown  cemetery. 

M  what  ])rccise  date  0'Hanh)n  came  to  Mount  P>a^nal  is  not  now  ascertain- 
able, lie  died  in  1777,  and  was  ninety  years  of  a^e,  so  that  his  long  life  stretchefl 
tlnouj;h  the  darkest  of  tlie  i)enal  da\'S.  That  he  was  able  tc  hold  such  a  valuable 
l)roperty  as  the  .Mount  Bagnal  farm  can  be  explained  only  by  ])resupposing  the 
ser\  ices  of  some  kindly  Prbtestant,  that  he  had  the  boldness  to  inscribe  his  family 
loud)  with  armonial  bearings — mere  Irishman  though  he  was — proves  that  he  had 
not  forgotten  to  a])])reciate  the  dignity  of  his  name. 

The  family  which  he  founded  ran  through  four  generations,  and  at  length 
succumbed  to  that  very  prevalent  County  Louth  disease,  old  bachelorhood.  The 
last  representative  James  was,  however,  no  unworthy  scion  of  his  house.  A  Barrister- 
at-Law  by  profession,  he  is  still  affectionately  remembered  in  and  around  Dundalk 
as  Councillor  O'Hanlon  ;  but  the  title  notwithstanding  he  was  an  infrequent  figure 
in  the  Halls  of  Justice.  All  his  talent,  and  it  appears  to  have  been  many  sided, 
he  ga\  e  to  his  country's  cause,  first  as  a  Repealer  and  later  in  the  ranks  of  the  Young 
Irelanders,  where  he  won  not  only  the  friendship  but  the  admiration  of  men  whose 
admiration  was  praise  indeed.  He  died  in  the  January  of  1851,  and  amongst  those 
who  paid  tribute  to  his  memory  was  that  other  distinguished  Dundalk  man  John 
Cashel  Hoey.  Readers  of  this  article  will  be  grateful  for  the  following  inset  taken 
from  a  memoir  of  James  O'Hanlon,  which  Hoey  contributed  to  the  Newry 
Examiner.  28th  January  of  that  year.  : — 

"  But  very  few  are  aware  that  many  a  column  of  dashing  disaffection  in  the 
"  Dundalk  Patriot^^  and  many  a  sinewy  appeal  in  the  Newry  Examiner  against 
"  ])ubhc  wrong  and  local  grievance,  many  a  fancy-studded  literary  gossip,  many  a 
"  squib  redolent  of  racy  mirth,  and  verse  of  no  mediocre  merit,  were  meditated 
"  in  the  old  Mount  or  by  the  pleasant  Cooley  shore,  and  shaped  in  the  snug  study 
"  with  the  rose- wreathed  windows." 

I  have  one  word  more  to  add,  though  I  fear  this  article  has  been  prolonged 
unduh'.  Amongst  the  claimants  for  an  Old  Age  Pension  some  weeks  ago  there 
came  from  the  mountain  side  of  5lAnn-mo|\  one  Loiighlin  O'Hanlon.  After 
eighty-two  years'  wrestling  with  the  stubborn  earth  he  stands  six  feet  high  and 
looks  a  venerable  and  noble  old  man,  as  indeed  he  is.  His  name  is  uncommon 
and  may  without  hesitation  be  taken  as  a  guarantee  of  his  descent.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  Redmond  Count  O'Hanlon  had  three  brothers  Eudmon,  John, 
and  Loiighlin,  and  it  is  most  likely  that  the  present  Loughlin  is  a  lineal  descendant 
of  one  of  these.  For  thus  did  fortune  deal  with  our  old  nobility — themselves  de- 
classed, their  heirs  without  inheritance,  now — 

•'  Lodging  in  some  humble  inn 
In  the  narrow  lanes  of  life," 

and  perhaps  with  difiiculty  procuring  the  wherewithal  to  pay  the  reckoning. 

Confiscation  may  have  accounted  for  their  estates,  but  neither  confiscation, 

12.    The  Fall  of  Feudalism  in  Ireland. 

I.'i.    This  Dundalk  paper  lived  for  only  thirty-seven  weeks. 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCH.EOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


6i 


nor  wars,  nor  death,  nor  exile,  has  accounted  for  CU\nn  Ui  n  Atml  iiAiti.  They  : 
numerous  in  Orior  still,  and  beyond  its  borders. 


RED.AIOXD  COUNT  O'HAXLOX'S  DESCENDANTvS  : 


Redmond  Count  O'Hanlon. 


James  in. 


Terence  of  Mount  Bagnal  in.  ? 
Known    as   Turlough  Mor. 
Died  1777,  aged  go  years. 


Catherine  m.  Coyningham  of  I.ettcrkcnny. 


James  in.  1.  Miss  Ronan,  Dublin. 

m.  2.  Miss  Alice  Coleman  of  Dundalk. 
I  Marriage  noted  in  Hib. 

Magazine,  July,  1783. 
I  Coleman's  house,  now  central 

I  portion  of  Marist  College. 

Neal  m   Miss  A.  Magee  of  Newry. 


Patrick. 


Margaret. 


James,  surnamed  "  The  Terence. 
Councillor,"  died  unmarried 
in  1851. 


Eliza  m.  Martin,  Dundalk. 


Mrs.  j.  W.  Horan,  Louth,  only 
child.    Yet  survives. 


Mary  m.  Gernon  of  Willville. 


Mary,  Newry,  who  still 
survives. 

(2)  O'Hagan,  Newry. 
No  issue. 


02 


ffiarolantaniT. 


()  M  E  time  ago  An  Claidheamh  Soluis  published  a  letter  in  Irish  from 
the  pen  of  the  keen  and  painstaking  antiquarian  S.  Kv(At>x<e  on 
Carolan's  Skull  and  other  relics  he  had  seen  at  Alderford.  Translated, 
the  letter  runs  thus  : — 

"I  see  in  the  Claidheamh  Soluis  of  this  week  (19th  Sep.,  '08)  that  our  friend 
"  Mr.  Patrick  Donnellan  states  that  the  head  of  Carolan  the  poet  and  musician  is 
"  now  in  Belfast,  and  that  it  was  stolen  over  100  years  ago  from  the  grave  in 
"  Kilronan  (Co.  Roscommon)  where  he  was  buried.     I  sincerely  trust  the  story  is 


**  not  true.  I  am  certain  a  part  of  it  at  least  is  not  by  any  means,  as  I  saw  the  skull  about  40  years 
"  ago  in  Kilronan  in  the  year  1872  when  spending  my  holidays  in  Gaothmaig.  Kilronan  is  three  miles 
"  distant  from  that  place  in  the  Roscommon  direction,  near  Alderford,  whers  O'Carolan  lived  with 
"  the  MacDermott  Roe  till  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  buried  in  the  old  monastery.  Long  after, 
"  when  the  grave  was  re-opened  the  skull  was  found  and  placed  in  a  niche  in  the  wall  over  the  grave, 
"  and  an  account  attached  to  it  with  a  green  silk  ribbon.  I  heard  from  the  people  that  it  was  stolen 
"  by  a  man  from  Ulster,  but  the  friends  of  MacDermott  Roe  pursued  and  overtook  him,  and,  having 
"  taken  the  skull  from  him,  brought  it  back.  It  was  deposited  in  the  same  niche  again  and  enclosed 
"  with  strong  iron  bars  on  the  outside,  sunk  deep  in  the  stones  of  the  wall,  for  its  better  security  in 
"  the  future.  It  was  thus  when  I  saw  it  and  certainly  it  would  be  no  easy  matter  to  steal  it  then. 
"  I  did  not  hear  what  time  or  year  the  theft  is  supposed  to  have  been  attempted,  but  perhaps  it  was 
"  the  author  of  the  story  who  wrote  to  the  paper  which  our  friend  quotes,  and  I  hope  the  skull  is  in 
the  same  place  yet.  The  MacDermott  Roe  were  O'Carolan's  patrons  from  his  youth  till  his  death. 
"  They  educated  him  after  he  lost  his  sight.  Their  house  he  regarded  as  his  home  wherever  else  he 
"  wandered  during  his  life.  Here  he  composed  his  poems  and  songs,  and  here  he  died.  His  room 
"  remained  as  he  left  it ;  the  table,  pen.  ink-bottle  and  chair  he  used  were  shown  to  me,  and,  indeed, 
"  the  chair  was  by  no  means  comfortable,  for  I  was  sitting  in  it.  I  don't  remember  where  his  harp 
"  was  known  to  be  then.  The  old  people  had  many  of  his  songs  and  poems  when  I  was  there. 
"  I  heard  one  from  an  old  man  in  Innishowen  a  poem  which  I  had  never  seen  in  print.  He  told 
"  me  Carolan  composed  it  in  London.  I  don't  know  what  authority  he  had  for  it,  but, 
"  at  any  rate,  it  shows  what  destruction  the  loss  of  our  tongue  is  working  on  our  literature 
"■  when  the  greater  part  of  O'Carolan's  works  are  lost  for  ever." 

Possibly  the  paper  which  Mr.  Donnellan  saw  was  the  Freeman  of  the  8th 
Jul}^  igo8,  or  one  of  the  American  papers  which  copied  therefrom.  The  notice 
in  the  Freeman  is  as  follows  : — 

"  Dr.  Grattan  Flood,  K.S.G.. writer  to  us  : — '  Is  it  not  a  deplorable  state  of  affairs  to  find  O'Carolan's 
"  skull  reposing  in  a  Masonic  Lodge  in  Belfast,  doubtless  employed  in  some  of  the  inaugurating  mysteries 
"  of  the  craft  ?  Yet  I  learn  on  unimpeachable  testimony  that  the  skull  of  the  great  Irish  bard  and 
"  harper  is  at  the  present  time  at  No.  10  Masonic  Lodge,  Belfast,  and  is  the  property  of  a  Belfast 
"  Solicitor." 

"  In  my  History  of  Irish  Music  I  gave  an  account  of  the  stealing  of  the  skull  of  Turlogh  O'Carolan, 
"  by  George  Nugent  Reynolds,  the  song  writer,  who,  in  1796  presented  it  to  Sir  James  Caldwell  for 
"  the  Castlecaldwell  museum.  From  179G  to  1874  it  remained  at  Castlecaldwell,  but  on  the  disposal 
"  of  the  museum  in  the  latter  year  it  was  acquired  by  Mr.  James  Glenny,  of  Glenville.  near  Newry, 
"  in  1884.    A  few  years  back  it  was  sold  by  the  executors  of  Mr.  Glenny  and  was  recently  traced  to 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCH.T:0L0GICAL  JOURNAL. 


63 


"  its  present  locale  by  a  priest  of  the  Diocese  of  Armagh. *  Surely  such  a  n  lie  out'ht  to  he  a. ■.pun-. I 
"  for  the  National  ^luseum." 

With  regard  to  the  past  history  of  the  skull  Hardiman,  after  tcUing  the 
details  of  his  death  and  burial  in  the  MacDermott  Roe  vault  in  their  chapel  at 
the  east  end  of  Kilronan,  writes  : 

'"On  opening  the  grave  in  1750  to  receive  the  remains  of  a  Cathohc  ("lergyiiuin.  wijosr  dyini^ 
"  request  was  to  be  interred  with  the  bard,  the  skull  cf  the  latter  was  taken  u|).  "  'J'he  Hon.  'I'hoinas 
"  Dillon,  brother  to  John  Earl  of  Roscommon  caused  it  to  be  perforateii  a  little  in  the  fon-hrad  and 
"  a  small  piece  of  ribbon  to  be  inserted  in  order  to  distinguish  it  from  similar  disinterred  remtiauts  of 
"  mortality.  It  was  placed  in  a  niche  over  the  grave,  where  it  long  remained  an  object  of  vt-neration, 
"  several  persons  having  visited  the  church  for  the  sole  purpose  of  seeing  this  relic  of  a  iiuiu  so  utuvrrs- 
"  ally  admired  for  his  musical  talents." 

Charles  O'Connor  wrote  : — 

"  In  my  pensive  mood,  at  Kilronan,  I  stood  over  poor  C'arolan's  grave,  covered  with  a  licaji  of 
"stones;  and  I  found  his  skull  in  a  niche  near  the  spot,  jierforated  a  little  in  the  forehead,  that  it 
"  might  be  known  by  that  mark."| 

Hardiman  continues  : 

"  At  length  in  the  year  1796  it  disappeared.  A  j)erson  on  horseback,  and  in  the  garb  01  a  gentle- 
"  man,  but  supposed  to  have  been  a  northern  Orangeman  came  to  the  church  and  desired  to  see  it. 
"  It  was  brought  from  the  niche,  and,  watching  his  ojiportunity,  he  discharged  a  loade;!  pistol  at  it, 
"  by  which  it  was  shattered  to  pieces. J  Then,  damming  all  Irish  papists,  he  rode  away.  Some  neigh- 
"  bouring  gentleman  pursued  him  as  far  as  Cashcarrigan,  in  the  County  Leitrim  ;  and  from  their 
"excited  feelings  at  the  moment,  it  was,  perhaps,  fortunate  that  he  escaped.  This  brutal  act  could 
"  be  perpetrated  only  through  the  demoniac  spirit  of  party  rage,  which  then  disgraced  this  unhappy 
"  country.  Notwithstanding  this  act,  and  although  the  people  of  Kilronan  show  some  fragnuMit.s 
"  which  they  assert  to  be  those  of  the  skull,  yet  it  is  confidently  state<l  that  it  may  be  seen  "  pi  rfi  rt 
"  and  entire  '  in  the  museum  at  Castlecaldwell,  Co.  Fermanagh,  having  been  presented  to  Sir  John 
"  Caldwell  by  the  late  George  Nugent  Reynolds,  Esq.,  who  took  it  privately  from  Kilronan  for  the 
"  purpose.  This,  however,  may  be  doubted.  Mrs.  MacNamara  (the  sister  of  Mr.  Reynolds)  doe>j 
"  not  believe  it,  never  having  heard  it  mentioned  in  her  family  \mtil  lately  ;  and  thinks  it  must  be 
"  some  pericranium  which  her  brother,  who  was  a  facetious  gentleman,  imposed  on  the  connoisseur 
"  by  way  of  joke  for  that  of  Carolan.  A  cast  of  the  Castlecaldwell  relic  is  about  being  sent  to  tlie 
"  phrenologists  of  Edinburgh  ;  but  probably  the  portrait  prefixed  to  this  volume  would  prove  moi«; 
"  satisfactory  to  these  gentlemen. "§ 

In  Sir  George  Grove's  Dictionary  of  Music  and  Musicians  vSir  Robert  vStewart 
says,  "  Early  in  the  nineteenth  century  it  occurred  to  a  Ribbonman  named  Re\molds 
to  steal  the  skull  of  Carolan  and  dispose  of  it  to  Sir  John  Caldwell  for  his  nmseum. 
The  museum  however  has  long  ceased  to  exist  and  the  skull  and  the  letter  describing 
it  are  both  gone."  Dr.  Grattan  Flood  says  that  Stewart  is  in  error  regarding  the 
ribbonman  legend.  Evidently  the  Reynolds  to  whom  Stewart  alludes  is  George 
Nugent  Reynolds,  but  whether  he  was  a  ribbonman  or  not  I  don't  know. 
There  may  have  been  some  foundation  in  fact  for  Hardiman's  account  of  the 
disappearance  of  the  skull.  Possibly  the  supposed  Orangeman  or  stranger  did  come 
with  the  intention  of  steaHng  it  and  actually  succeeded,  and  if  the  firing  of  the  ])istol 
was  not  a  fiction,  it  was  resorted  to  by  him  to  let  people  about  see  he  was  armed 
and  thus  deter  them  from  attempting  to  wrest  his  prize  from  him,  and  he  may  have 
fired  at  some  other  skull  lying  about  to  emphasiz.e  his  threat.  Indeed,  he  may  have 
managed  the  affair  so  skilfully  to  make  the  people  actually  believe  he  had  dest  rc-yt-d 
Carolan's  skull  when  he  had  it  safely  concealed  about  his  person,  which  could  be 
effectually  done  by  a  man  on  horseback.  Again,  at  that  time  of  bitter  ])arty  frcling 
it  would  only  be  too  likely  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  about  Kilronan  should 

*  The  writer  of  this  article. 

t  Dr.  Flood  says  he  was  buried  adjoining  the  vault  of  the  .MacDermotts. 

i  Wood-Martin,  in  his  ''Elder  Faiths  of  Ireland;  Pre-Christian  Tra(hti()n.s. "  Vol.  I  .  j.ag,-  JT'.*. 
as  instance  of  certain  superstitious  practices  says  that  Carolan's  skull  was  r.  (lucc<|  f o  (  ruiul.H  jind 
boiled  to  be  used  for  some  medicinal  effects  ! 

§  Vol.  I.,  pp.  64-65. 


64 


CaXKOLAN  lANA. 


attiibiilr  this  ;ut  of  vaiulalisiii  to  tlic  tliit-l'  if  tht-y  kiu-vv  he  came  from  the  North 
rather  than  a(hiiit  or  confess  he  had  successfully  stolen  their  treasure,  especially 
if  it  was  stolen  with  some  show  of  force.  vS.  IJa  Ruadre  tells  us  that  forty  years 
a^o  he  heard  the  tradition  of  the  theft  of  the  skull,  but  heard  nothing  of  the  armed 
horseman.  If  the  skull  he  saw  in  1872  be  the  true  skull  of  Carolan,  where  was  it 
in  1831  when  Ilardinian  published  his  account  ?  He  shoulfl  ha\'e  known  of  the 
existence  of  this  skull  had  it  been  in  Kilronan  then. 

Everything  considered,  it  seems  to  me  practically  certain  that  the  Castlecald- 
well  relic  is  the  true  and  authentic  one.  The  following  query  was  addressed  to  the 
Ulster  Journal  of  Archceology,  Vol.  II.,  No.  3,  April  1896,  but  remained  unanswered  : 
"  The  skull  of  Turlogh  O'Carolan. — I  saw  it  stated  that  at  a  sale  of  the  antiquarian 
collection  of  the  late  James  (xlenny  of  Newry,  in  Belfast,  March,  1887,  a  human  skull 
said  to  be  that  of  Turlogh  O'Carolan  was  sold.  Would  some  reader  kindly  state 
where  that  relic  is  now  located,  and  what  ground  there  is  for  the  statement  that 
it  was  the  skull  of  the  bard. — Owen  Sm^^th."  After  a  long  and  troublesome  search 
in  the  month  of  May  last,  I  heard  from  Mr.  James  Glenny  that  he  got  a  present  of 
the  skull  from  Mr.  Bloomfield,  and  that  it  was  for  many  a  day  at  the  Glenville  museum. 
It  was  sold  by  the  executors  to  Mr.  B.  W.  Montgomery,  and  there  was  a  printed 
description  attached  to  it,  which  possibly  (he  said)  might  be  attached  to  it  in  its 
present  place,  No.  10  Masonic  I^od^e,  Belfast.  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Montgomery  asking 
him  could  I  see  and  examine  it,  and  he  kindly  consented  to  bring  it  to  his  office , 
20  Calendar  Street,  for  my  inspection.  It  is  kept  in  a  large  box  painted  black  with 
a  projecting  back  in  which  there  are  two  nail  holes,  evidently  intended  to  secure 
the  box  to  a  wall  after  the  fashion  of  a  wall-pocket.  The  skull  itself  is  in 
a  fine  state  of  preservation,  but  the  lower  jawbone  is  missing.  Two  teeth 
remain  in  the  upper  jawbone,  the  second  counting  from  the  back  on  the  right,  a 
molar,  and  the  fifth  on  the  left  side,  a  premolar.  The  forehead  or  frontal  bone 
is  low  and  receding.  The  skull  measures  round  the  frontal  and  parietal  bones 
21I  inches,  and  12  inches  from  one  external  auditory  meatus  (ear)  to  the  other. 
The  palate  measures  if  inches  across.  There  are  two  holes,  made  by  design  or 
accident,  one  of  which  is  over  the  right  orbit  towards  the  nose.  This  was  the  per- 
foration caused  to  be  made  by  the  Hon.  Thomas  Dillon.  Mr.  Montgomery,  though 
he  did  not  know  the  story  or  the  motive  of  the  perforation,  told  me  that  there  was 
a  piece  of  string  or  ribbon  through  this  hole  when  he  purchased  the  skull..  As  I 
covered  it  with  the  piece  of  canvas  in  which  it  was  enveloped,  the  thought  involun- 
tarily rose  in  my  mind  that  M'Cabe  the  poet  and  harper — Carolan's  life  long  friend— 
w^ould  have  shrieked  a  wilder  keen  that  his  bones  were  thus  scattered  and  would 
have  pleaded  passionately  in  his  elegy  for  its  restoration  to  Kilronan  again. 

"  The  circumstances,"  says  Miss  Brooke,  "  which  gave  rise  to  this  elegy  are 
striking,  and  extremely  affecting."  MacCabe  had  been  an  unusual  length  of  time 
without  seeing  his  friend,  and  went  to  pay  him  a  visit.  As  he  approached  near 
the  end  of  his  journey,  in  passing  by  a  churchyard,  he  was  met  by  a  peasant,  of 
whom  he  inquired  for  Carolan.  The  peasant  pointed  to  his  grave  and  wept ,  MacCabe, 
shocked  and  astonished,  was  for  some  time  unable  to  speak  ;  his  frame  shook,  his 
knees  trembled,  he  had  just  power  to  totter  to  the  grave  of  his  friend,  and  then 
sunk  to  the  ground.  A  flood  of  tears  at  last  came  to  his  relief  ;  and  still  further 
to  disburden  his  mind,  he  vented  his  anguish  in  the  following  lines.  In  the  original 
they  are  simple  and  unadorned,  but  pathetic  to  a  great  degree.  The  conclusion  of 
this  elegy  reminds  us  of  Dr.  Johnson's  Epitaph,  on  Claude  Phillips,  the  Welsh 
Musician  : — 

"  Sleep  undisturbed  within  this  peaceful  shrine, 

Till  angels  wake  thee  with  a  note  like  thine." 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH.liOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


CAROLAN. 

THE  CELEBRATED  IRISH  BARD. 


In  1720  he  went  to  Donass,  in  the  Co.  of  Clare,  the  seat  of  Charles  Massey, 
Dean  of  Limerick,.  Dean  Massey  wishing  to  retain  some  memorial  of 
a  man  whose  genius,  and  amiable  manners,  excited  at  once  his  admiration 
and  esteem,  caused  this  portrait  to  be  painted  by  a  Dutch  artist,  who 
was  then  in  the  neighbourhood.  It  continued  in  possession  of  the  family 
imtil  the  death  of  the  late  General  Massey,  who  prized  it  so  highly,  that 
he  carried  it  with  him  wherever  he  went.  Upon  his  death,  m  Pans,  in 
1780,  the  picture  was  brought  back  to  Ireland  ;  [and,  in  1809,  was  sold  to 
the  celebrated  Walter  Cox,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Irish  Magazine. 
Mr.  Cox  having  afterwards  presented  it  to  Thomas  Finn,  Kscj.,  of  Carlow, 
that  excellent  and  patriotic  gentleman  kindly  communicated  it  to  the 
writer,  who  expressed  a  desire  to  have  it  engraved  and  preserved  as  a 
national  relic.  With  that  view,  he  caused  an  accurate  copy  to  be  takt-ii, 
which  he  presented  to  an  ingenious  Dublin  artist,  Mr.  Martyn,  on  the 
sole  condition  that  it  should  be  well  engraved.  Mr.  Martyn  pul)lishe( 
his  engraving  in  1822,  (of  the  same  size  as  the  original,  which  is  paintrd 
on  copper,  about  8  inches  by  6),  and  dedicated  it  to  the  Mar(iu(>ss  W  cllcslcy, 
then  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland.  George  Petrie,  Es(i.,  of  I)ul>lm,  whose 
acquaintance  with  the  history  and  antiquities  of  this  country,  is.  pcrhaiw, 
only  surpassed  by  his  knowledge  of  the  arts  of  painting  and  sculpture, 
in  which  he  so  eminently  excels,  thinks  it  probable  that  the  original  portrait 
was  painted  by  Vander  Hagen,  a  distinguished  Dutch  artist,  who  wa.s,  at 
that  time,  in  Ireland  {Hardiman's  Irish  Minstrelsy).  The  original  was  in 
possession  of  Sir  Henry  Marsh,  Bart.,  M.D.,  in  1845.  One  of  Martyn  s 
line  engravings  is  now  in  the  National  Gallery. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH.^I OLOCxICAL    JOURNAL.  65 

mo  Ijt^oin  !   mo   rriiLLeAt)  !   mo  cinneAp      mo  l)iMit)|\eAm  r|A.\t  ! 
"Oo  ceol-cf^tiic  miUf,  5^11  binneAf,  ^ati  ]nM1|^ce4^f  dati  ! 
CiA  "OeAfip-Af  A^teAy  no'n  ^Af\\A^t>  ua  c^ol  50  bu^n. 
Or  p'ot^,  A  CAivAi-o,  5U|\  leA^At)  tu  a  s-cottif  a  Ct^u^t)  ^ 

Ut^AC  eijAgi-oim        mAiDin,  a'v  t)eA|\CAim  ap  ri|\  pAui  cia(\ 
A^uf  fuit)im  Ait\  TiA  cnocAib,  50  b--peicim  ah  x)ub  a  n-iA^;, 
A  Aen-meic  ttluijAe  !  pujACAig  -oo  m'         a'^  fiAjA  ! 
'S  50  ti-'oeAnnAt)  LoC  polA,  -oe  AriiAfvc  mo  ful  ad'  -Oiait')  ! 

A  t^ij  riA  5CA|\AT)  !    riAC  AifoeAC  tia  cu|ArAT)A  e  ? 

A5  lui-Oe  -OArh  am[\  mo  leAbAt)  daC  ^-co-ol.Ann  mo  fuil  A6n  tieulL  ! 

Uait)  piAncA  T)eAC|AAC  T)ul  cjAAfriA  cf\e  lA|\  mo  Cl6ib  ; 

'S  A  Uoi|\t)eAl,bAic  UI  CeA|\bAllAin,  'f  -oiombAit)  liom  ru  finnre  5Cf\6  ! 

5uiX)im-fi  nAOtfi  Doiminic,  llAom  ppAinfiAf,  a'^  nAoim  ClApA, 
'S  ^^A  ti-iUomAT)  uAoim,  |?a6i  t)it)eAn  nA  cac|aac  neAmt)A, 
^Pa  pAilue  CAbAifC  -o'  AnAm  Uoif-OeAlbAiC  Ann  a  n-A|\uf., 
*Sa  tiACC  pofc  f AOiteAitiAil  -DO  feinn  f6  ai|\  An  g-clAiffi^.* 

The  metrical  translation  by  Furlong,  though  very  good,  does  not  fully  bring 
out  the  pathetic  sweet  simplicity  of  the  original  ; 

Woe  is  my  portion  !  unremitting  woe  ! 

Idly  and  wildly  in  my  grief  I  rave  ; 

Thy  song,  my  Turlogh,  shall  be  sung  no  more — 

Thro'  festive  halls  no  more  thy  strains  shall  flow  : 

The  trilling  music  of  thy  harp  is  o'er — 

The  hand  that  wak'd  it  moulders  in  the  grave. 

I  start  at  dawn — I  mark  the  country's  gloom — 
O'er  the  green  hills  a  heavy  cloud  appears  ; 
Aid  me,  kind  heaven,  to  bear  my  bitter  doom, 
To  check  my  murmurs,  and  restrsin  my  tears. 

Oh  !  gracious  God  !  how  lonely  are  my  days, 
At  night  sleep  comes  not  to  these  wearied  eyes. 
Nor  beams  one  hope  my  sinking  heart  to  raise — 
In  Turlogh's  grave  each  hope  that  cheer'd  me  lies. 

Oh  !  ye  blest  spirits,  dwelling  with  your  (iod, 
Hj-mning  His  praise  as  ages  roll  along, 
Receive  my  Turlogh  in  your  bright  abode, 
And  bid  him  aid  you  in  your  sacred  song.f 

t  Literally  :  — 

My  sorrow,  my  destruction,  my  sickness,  and  my  trouble. 

Your  sweet  tuneful  harp  to  be  silent,  to  be  without  the  joy  of  song. 

Who  would  add  gladness  to  the  lasting  collection  of  song, 

'Tis  true  oh  my  friend  that  you  are  laid  in  the  hard  coffin. 

When  I  rise  in  the  morning  and  look  at  the  country  nn(h>r  mist. 

And  sit  on  the  hills,  until  I  see  darkness  in  the  west, 

O  Son  of  Mary  !  help  me  in  my  trial  ; 

The  sight  of  my  eyes  are  like  pools  of  blood  after  yon. 

King  of  friends  !  is  it  not  a  strange  fate 

That  lying  on  my  bed  my  eye  sleeps  not  a  wink  ? 

(With)  the  hard  pains  flitting  across  my  breast, 

0  Turlogh  O'Carolan  !  it  is  misfortune  to  me,  you  to  be  stret(  licfl  in  tli««  clay. 

1  pray  St.  Dominic,  St.  Francis  and  St.  Clare, 
And  all  the  saints  in  safety  in  the  city  of  th(^  saints 
A  welcome  give  to  Turlogh's  soul  in  their  dwelling. 

He  who  played  the  multitude  of  learned  songs  on  th»  liarf). 


*  Hardiman,  pp.  96-97,  133. 


CAKOLAN  IAN  A. 


Carolaii  c'()iii])()sc  (l  an  t'U',i;y  on  MacCabe.  The  ])()etry  is  sini])'c  and  unadorned 
and  hrcallics  the  hin^ua^e  of  unaffected  grief.  Walker  tells  us  of  the  incident 
that  gave  rise  to  it.  "  MacCabe  met  Carolan  after  a  long  absence,  and,  disguising 
his  voice,  he  accosted  Carolan  as  a  stranger.  In  the  course  of  conversation  the 
(lisseni])ler  insinuated  that  he  had  come  from  MacCabe's  neighbourhood  ;  on  which 
Carolan  eagerly  incjuired  did  he  know  one  Charles  MacCabe.  '  X)]^)  Aitne  r^^t 
A^Ani  '  I  once  knew  him,'  replied  MacCabe.    '  How  once  ;    what  do  you 

mean  by  that  '  says  Carolan.  '  I  mean,'  answered  the  wag.  '  that  this  day  week 
I  was  at  his  funeral.'  Carolan  shocked  and  moved  by  this  melancholy  news  corn- 
])()sed  the  clegyf  on  his  friend,  who,  however,  soon  after,  assumed  his  proper  voice 
and  rallied  the  good  natured  bard  on  his  giving  such  a  sincere  proof  of  his  affection 
for  one  who  had  so  often  made  him  the  butt  of  his  wit." 

Carolan  once  ]nit  MacCabe  into  a  sack  at  the  public-house  of  a  man  named 
William  Inglis,  at  Mohill,  Co.  Leitrim.  The  irate  MacCabe  addressed  to  him  a 
caustic  lampoon  in  revenge  for  this  practical  joke.§  A  good  translation  is  given 
by  MacCall  in  his  "  Pulse  of  the  Bards,"  p.  79.  It  affords  an  example  of  MacCabe's 
powers  as  a  satirist  : — 

From  Down  to  Galway,  point  me  out  the  man 
Who  owns  two  horses  and  a  field  of  flax, 
Who  says  he  hath  not  paid  a  music-tax 
Each  year  to  thee  ?    For  what,  0  Carolan  ? 

For  what,  indeed  ?    Whence  come  these  rich  rewards  ? 
Is  it  that  none  like  thee  can  smoke  a  pipe. 
Or  drink  brown  ale,  or  gin  from  berries  ripe, 
Or  wine  or  whiskey,  guile  of  all  the  bards  ! 

,  Or  anything  ?    All  draughts  alike  inspire  ! 

All  satisfy  a  tasteless,  craving  soul  ! 
Let  them  but  fill  for  thee  a  deep  round  bowl  ; 
And  noise  will  drown  the  strain,  like  smokt  the  fire  ! 

What  are  thy  laurels  ?    Not  a  five  groat  fool 
From  Ballinroba  down  to  Ballashanny. 
But  thou  hast  overbrimmed  his  shallow  penny 
With  planxty  playing,  measured  not  by  rule  ! 

What  are  thy  laurels  ?    Not  an  old  grey  dame 
In  Leitrim  but  hath  given  for  jig  or  reel 
Her  outworn  socks  and  broken  comb  of  steel — 
Behold,  O  Bard,  thy  spurs  and  crown  of  fame  ! 

For  such  go  harp  thy  music  !   they  will  see 
A  careful  finger  and  a  tuneful  chord- — 
These  be  true  judges,  not  the  high-born  lord, 
Who  gives  good  moidores  for  bad  minstrelsy  ! 

Miss  Hull,  in  her  text  book  of  Irish  lyiterature,  says  that  Carolan  was  the 
"  centre  of  a  group  of  musicians  and  song  writers,  of  whom  Dall  MacCuairt,  Cahir 
MacCabe,  Patrick  MacAlindon  and  Peter  O'Durnan  all  came  from  the  Meath  and 
Louth  district.  They  poured  forth  songs  on  all  occasions,  a  large  number  being 
amatory  ditties,  drinking  songs,  and  satirical  and  personal  pieces.  None  of  them 
were  men  of  education,  and  their  verse  is  not  of  high  merit,  though  occasionally 
a  lament  or  a  love-song  of  mere  than  ordinary  beauty  is  to  be  found  among  their 
voluminous  productions." 

%  Hardiman,  Vol.  I.,  p.  94  ;   and  Petrie,  Ancient  Irish  Music,  new  edit.,  1022. 
§  Petrie,  Ancient  Music  of  Ireland,  old  edit.,  p.  15. 


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I  am  sure  if  Miss  Hull  had  seen  the  quantity  and  ([uality  of  the  productions 
of  the  Oriel  poets  I  have  seen,  she  would  have  considerably  modified  the  latter  un- 
critical statement.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  before  many  years  have 
passed  the  poetry  of  Oriel  will  be  recognized  as  second  to  none  in  Eire.  But  the 
great  pity  of  it  is  so  much  has  been  for  ever  lost  and  destroyed.  Patrick  Jordan, 
of  Tiffcrum,  told  me  that  only  two  or  three  years  ago  a  large  boxful  of  MSvS.  which 
were  in  his  house  were  thrown  out  as  useless.  They  were  written  by  his  father 
WilHam  Jordan,  one  of  the  best  Irish  scholars  of  his  day.  Some  of  his  transcri])tions 
are  to  be  found  among  the  late  Monsignor  O'Laverty's  collection,  part  of  which  is 
now  in  St.  Malachy's  College,  Belfast  ;  among  others  a  "  metrical  Life  of  Christ." 
The  most  of  these  MSS.  were  written  by  scribes  in  and  about  South  Armagh  and 
North  Louth. 

Mrs.  Connellan,  of  Meigh,  informed  me  that  about  forty  years  ago  she  used  for 
lighting  the  fire  the  full  of  a  large  carpet  bag  of  MSS.  belonging  to  John  O'Neill, 
an  uncle  of  her  husband's.  vShe  said  the  bag  was  a  yard  long  and  a  yard  and  a  half 
in  depth,  that  some  of  the  MSS.  were  the  size  of  tiirf-sods  !  She  also  told  me  that 
John  O'Neill  recognized  no  better  Irish  scholar  than  himself  only  John  O' Donovan, 
and  so  great  was  his  admiration  for  this  Titan  that  he  used  to  pray  for  the  success 
of  his  labours  every  night.  And  not  very  long  ago  Michael  Bennett,  of  Ballykeel, 
a  nephew  of  Art  Bennett's,  assured  me  that  he  had  known  as  much  as  a  large  sack- 
ful of  Art's  MSS.  to  be  sent  away  to  England  ;  "  Aye,"  he  said,  "  as  much  as  a 
strong  man  could  carry  on  his  back."  A  daughter  of  Art's,  who  still  lives  in  her 
father's  house,  saw  him  give  the  full  of  a  handkerchief  of  his  writings  to  his  son 
when  he  was  going  to  England.  Space  will  not  permit  me  to  go  into  this  matter 
as  minutely  as  I  would  wish.  Dall  MacCuairt  or  MacCourt  (Courtenay)  was  without 
doubt  the  greatest  of  this  circle  of  poets  of  which  Miss  Hull  speaks.  He  was  also 
a  harper.  Hardiman  (p.  51)  tells  us  how  he  first  met  Carolan.  "  Tempo  was  the 
only  house  in  the  North  that  Carolan  is  said  to  have  visited.  During  one  of  these 
visits  Colonel  Maguire  contrived  that  he  should  be  conveyed  to  the  County  of  Louth, 
where  the  blind  bard,  MacCuairt,  then  resided.  They  were  brought  together  with- 
out their  knowledge.  MacCuairt  was  considered  the  better  poet — Carolan  the  better 
musician.  After  playing  for  some  time  on  their  harps,  Carolan  exclaimed,  " 
bi'nn,  t)05,  b|\eA5Ac  a  |\inneAf  cu."  "  Your  music  is  soft  and  sweet,  but  untrue." 
On  which  the  other  promptly  replied,  "If  rnimc  t3o  Di-OcAn  ah  fifMnne  pern  feAf\l')," 
"  Even  truth  itself  is  sometimes  bitter."  Alluding  to  his  rival's  performance,  which, 
though  correct,  was  not  always  sweet  or  pleasing  to  the  ear.  The  bards  soon  recog- 
nized one  another.  On  this  occasion  MacCuairt  composed  the  "  Welcome  "  ; 
and  the  excellent  northern  poet,  Pat  Linden  of  the  Fews,  in  the  County  of  Armagh, 
who  came  up  to  see  Carolan,  wrote  another  pleasing  poem  to  commemorate  his  visit 
to  that  part  of  Ireland."  Hardiman  gives  this  ode  of  Welcome  first  in  that  section 
of  his  book  devoted  to  the  remains  of  Carolan,  with  the  following  preface  :  — 

"  It  was  a  good  old  custom,  observed  in  former  days,  to  introduce  work.s  of  learning  and  genius 
"by  '  cominendatury  verses.'  Shakfcs|)eare,  Milton,  Diyden,  I'oik-.  and  other  exalted  names  have 
"  not  disdained  to  preface  their  productions  with  these  i)assports  to  fame.  Tlie  rhymes  of  lionest 
"  Andrew  Marvwell,  beginning  :  —  "  When  [  behold  the  poet  blind  yet  bold,"  yet  suivivc,  and 
"  generallv  precede  Parndisi'  Lost. 

"  In  accordance  with  this  laudable  custom  the  ensuing  ode  is  i)laced  before  the  Remains  of 
"  C!arolan.  It  is  the  production  of  one  of  those  men  of  genius  with  whom  Ireland  has  at  all  times 
"  aboimded.  but  who  are  as  little  known  to  the  pfood  people  of  England,  or  even  to  the  would-be  Kjii;lish 
"  of  Ireland,  as  if  thty  had  never  existed  :  bectause,  "  they  were  born  Irishmen  an<l  men  of  gemus." 
"  and  wrote  in  a  language  renderefi  unfashionabl(>  by  those  acts  which  enjoined  our  ancestors  to  purify 
their  '  upper  lippes  '  with  steele,  to  enable  them  to  spcke  Kti^dishe  "  with  elTect.  This  ode,  in  our 
"  opinion,  exceeds  even  MarvoU's  rhymes,  and  bids  fair  to  last  as  lonu.  It  will  sliow  the  estimation 
"  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  contemporaries.  Envy,  the  old  and  natural  infirmity  «)f  the  poetic  tribe, 
"recoiled  within  itself  in  his  [)resence  ;  and  his  praises  were  resounded  by  hi.s  Brother  Harils  with 
"  the  undissembled  homage  always  i)ai(I  to  superior  genius  : 


c:ai<()I.aniana. 

"OA  niiliun  'orAc;  |:<\iU(-  -^aoiT) 

()  A|vu|"  lil('Af)r)A,  inj;('Aii  V(>(:A\i), 

50  peAjAAnn  Oi|a$iaiL1,  ?^luni-hA|A,  ?;|Ainn, 

te  '|\  b'lonminn   6uCca  ConccoLuinn. 

T)a  riiAiiACAf)  ConCottAjA  Ati-OA^triAin  ITIaCa, 

t)u|\  t)-cu|\uf  An-iAf  ni  '|\  f)'AitfveA('^.  ; 

111  |vac|:a'(')  All  Lu)?;'L6^niA|\  -ai|\  Aif, 

Tlo  -^o  5-C|\eiiCcvMif)e  ULax)  pA'n  ITlAigneif. 

Ceit|\e  TleiLl  teAtfifVA  iia  T)-c|AeAf, 
Conn  Aguf  CojAmAC  cotirOeAf, 
111  lei^peAt)  An  CAfmogAlt  A5  Aen 
T)'ptiil  At)Airri,  acc  A5  A|AX)|\i5. 


CA|AbtincAil  UeAni|tA  nA  -o-cfiAc  ; 
TTlAigneif  "UIai-O  nA  n-X)eAt\j5-f ciac  ; 
Ofpeuf  6lAinne  CAtA6i\^  6  "beAf, 
A'f  m6AT)Aifv  nA  ri-66|ApA  jAn  coitimeAf. 

5^^^^  ceoiL  on  n-AfiA  n'oifv 
50  CoiiA-beAtt^AC  Anoif  "oo  f  Ainic  ; 
P|MonnfA  nA  nAoi  tTlufA  |:a  meAf 
T)o  feAlt)tii5  Aif  T)-cuif  pAfnAffUf. 

5-^^  T)uine  feinncAf  -pA  a  Lui"6eAnn  5]\iAn, 
^  If  -OA  n-Ai|\rhinn  50  muif  "o-UoifiMAn  ; 

O  tToifOeAlttAC  "oo  geit)  'nA  tAirh, 
An-A6iti)neAp,  a  n-6f  'f  a  n-A|\An. 

Ua  An  c'A|\An  'n  a  t^irfi  50  bAf  niA  feinniT)  le  ceitL 

fiotlA  "o'  A  "0CU5  AtAi|\  nA  n-5f\Af  x)'  Ott*0Arfi  nA  'O-ceii'o 
An  ciimA'o6i|\  A|\T)-fo  fAj^uig  An  C|\uinne  le  ceim, 
'S  t)A  6ut)Ait)  t)o  pAilce  bA|\|A  Ai|\  X)A  tfiiliun  "oeuec, 

Furlong  made  the  following  free  translation  of  it  : — 

Oh  !  millions  of  welcomes  for  thee, 

Chosen  bard  of  the  fair  and  free, 

From  the  mansion  of  Meave  thou  comest  in  pride 

To  where  Oriel's  flow'ry  fields  spread  wide. 

Dear  to  Ouchullin,  that  dreaded  name. 

Bright  and  high  in  the  rolls  of  fame. 


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If  Connor  still  in  Eniania  rei^n'd 

Brilliant  would  be  thy  cheer. 

Long  would  thy  sacred  gem  be  retained, 

High  priz'd  and  precious,  and  dear. 

All  Ulster  upon  its  beauty  might  gaze. 

And  the  land  be  bless' d  by  its  scattering  rays. 

The  four  Nials  of  Tara's  embattled  pile. 

Con  and  Cor  mac  of  regal  birth. 

Would  not  give  up  the  prize,  the  pride  of  the  Isle, 

To  the  proudest  foe  upon  earth. 

Oh  !   glorious  and  great  in  the  tented  field 

Must  the  monarch  be  who' might  make  them  yield. 

Rich  jewel  art  thou  of  old  Temor,  of  kings, 
Darling  of  Ulster  of  red  red  shields — 
Where's  he  who  like  thee  can  strike  the  strings  ? 
Where  is  the  voice  that  such  music  yields  ? 
Bard  of  Clan  Cahir,  the  race  renown'd, 
Light  of  our  isle,  and  the  isles  around. 

The  prize  of  harmony's  sent  from  afar, 

My  Turlogh  that  prize  is  thine, 

It  comes  from  Apollo,  the  old  world's  star. 

The  guide  of  the  sacred  Nine  : 

And  each  bard  that  wanders  o'er  earth  and  sea 

Seems  proud  to  learn  new  lays  from  thee. 

Oh  !   yes  !   from  thee,  thou  son  of  the  song 

Full  many  a  strain  may  they  borrow, 

'Tis  thine  in  their  mirth  to  entrance  the  throng 

Or  to  soothe  the  lone  heart  of  sorrow  : 

Then  welcome  to  Oriel's  flowery  fields, 

Thou  darling  of  Ulster  of  red  red  shields.* 

*  Literally  :  — 

Twelve  million  welcomes  to  thee 

From  the  dwelling  of  Maeve  daughter  of  Eochy, 

To  the  pleasant  waving  plains  of  Oriel, 

That  were  famous  by  the  deeds  of  Cuchullin. 

If  Conor  lived  in  E mania 

Your  journey  would  not  be  without  pleasure. 

The  healer  of  woe  would  not  return 

Until  Ulster  would  be  first  subdued  by  this  conqueror. 

The  four  Nials  of  Tara  of  the  battle  ranks. 
Conn  and  Cormac  the  comely. 
Would  not  surrender  the  prize  to  anyone 
Of  Adam's  race  except  the  High- King. 

Jewel  of  Tara  of  the  Kings, 
Pride  of  Ulster  of  the  red  shields, 
Orpheus  of  Clan  Cahir  of  the  south. 
Golden  rule  of  Europe  without  favours. 

The  prize  of  song  from  golden  Asia 
To  Turlogh  now  has  come. 
Prince  of  the  nine  sacred  Muses, 
You  first  ascended  Parnassus. 

Everyone  who  plays  under  the  sun, 
Even  to  the  places  on  the  Tyhrrene  sea, 
From  Turlogh  have  learned  their  skill 
And  their  sweetness  and  gold  and  livelihood. 

He  will  never  want  till  death  since  he  plays  w<-ll  ; 

Every  glint  of  sunshine  the  Father  of  grace  gave  to  tli«-  mti.st<T  .if  Ih.-  HtrinK.x. 
This  great  master  entranced  the  nuiltitudcs  a.s  he  went 
It  is  only  fitting  to  give  him  two  million  welcoinea. 

K 


>J0  CAKOLAN  lANA. 

I  found  ill  a  MvS,,  writ  Ion  l)y  Art  Heiinett,  the  following  poem,  wliich  lie  says 
is  the  "  Welcome  "  given  by  MacCuairt.  There  is  a  great  difference  between 
it  and  the  "  Welcome  "  given  l)y  Hardiman.  Perhaps  it  was  the  ])oem  composed 
by  Patrick  Linden  on  the  occasion  of  Carolan's  visit  to  this  country:  — 

1nu\\tii  pAiLrc^  "Ouir  tno  f)AiL  a  giAtiAif)  co|ACaia  haC  AtrinA|\ 
A  (\n\y  CLiifit\A  If  AiLle  xjfveACc,  "oo  pio|\-puiL  uAfAl  CA|\ol-An. 
1]^  \w6\\  An  fj^eitri  tu        leit  Cun,  5^0  n-oetinAif)  'Qia  t)a  mAi|\cin 
AgAif)  ei^i^e  nA  ^1'61|^^ne  ofc,  a  tuiLe  fLeit)e  nA  W  incLeACc. 
S|At.it  SoitinA  An  "OA  lAitti,  -oo  to^pAt")  LuCt  CAfLAince 
CcACA  bCA^A  nA  meoijA  rriAoit,  a  "OaIca  uCca  v^a  n-Ai|\T)-fVi^. 
t)A|\|\  (ieoil  DO  |\U5  50  buAin,  fioL  eibi|\  on  cAoit)  tuAi^ 
■50  •o-CAini5  An  Ua^  lo^rtiuj;  An  X)o  piot^  -pinl  uAfAl  eijAeAitiun. 
Till  pfveAbAn  a  neAlAt)un  5fin,  nAC  5CAnuiX)eAn  fe  50  t:io|A-bi'n 
tlo  pu|\c  "oo  nAigUb  "oo  onoCc,  nAc  fionAn  fe  jAn  Aoin  toCc. 
PaiLcc  "Ouic  a  toif "OeAlbAig,  a  jnuif  foitbeAf  |ao  teAnbAit) 
A  tobAf  ceoil  If  feAff  flog,  x)a  -ocAinog  Aif  fluAg  ITI1I1T). 

All  U-At3RAn. 

1f  cIaoit:)  bfAoin,  fit  ceoiL  "oo  itieoif\  bog  bin 

1f  "OO  ffAf  5l6i|A,  cfuiT)e  rhojA  "oo  f|\eArh  ftuAij  Cun 

A  leig  6|\  If  feAjtfv  Coip  t>o  CeA-ofAig  gfin 

puAif  pfiotti  feoix)  o'n  fig  rhoj^  t)uic  fein  gAn  f\un. 

From  afar  I  welcome  thee  my  friend  of  the  ruddy  countenance, 

Fountain  of  most  beautiful  poetry,  noble  O'Carolan  ; 

A  great  ornament  thou  art  to  the  country  of  Conn, 

May  God  preserve  you  long. 

You  are  the  admiration  of  the  bards  of  Erin 

With  a  genius  like  a  mountain  torrent. 

The  streams  of  music  from  your  hands  would  restore  to  health  the  sick. 
Little  showers  from  fingers  of  soft  touch,  the  favoured  of  the  High  King, 
Your  song  is  choice  and  rare,  true  descendant  of  Heber  from  the  North, 
Since  came  this  brilliant  physician  of  the  true  princely  blood  of  Eremon 
There  is  not  a  piece  of  his  pleasant  art  but  he  sings  sweet  and  true. 
Not  a  tune  from  morn  till  eve  but  he  plays  without  fault ; 
Welcome  to  you  Turlogh  of  the  cheerful,  innocent  countenance. 
Fountain  of  the  truest  song  that  came  among  the  IVIilesians. 

(The  Versicle  or  Combination). 

It  is  the  soul  of  fairy  music  you  play  softly  and  sweetly. 

It  is  the  richness  of  your  voice  ?    Great  heart  of  the  race  of  Conn 

Who  bequeathed  a  golden  legacy  of  rich  testimony 

You  got  as  all  know  the  first  jewel  of  the  High  King  for  yourself. 

It  would  be  very  interesting  to  know  where  or  how  Art  Bennett  got  this  poem. 
I  had  intended  to  give  another  poem  and  translation  on  Carolan,  but  the  space  at 
my  disposal  would  not  allow  me.  This  poem  is  found  in  a  book  of  RtiAit)t^e 
rhic  X>^Ax<v^AXiA,  p.  35.  It  was  written  by  SeAn  O'^a^O^a.  MacDermott  calls 
it  an  elegy,  though  it  was  written  before  O' Carolan's  death.  It  consists  of  80  lines 
and  is  the  finest  poem  I  have  yet  seen  on  the  harper.  It  has  been  published  by  the 
Gaelic  Journal,  No.  176.  Is  it  not  a  great  pity  that  Carolan's  works  in  music  and 
poetry  have  not  been  collected  and  published.  He  is  said  to  have  composed  over 
200  airs  and  to  have  put  words  to  almost  the  whole  of  them.    I  believe  it  would 


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now  be  difficult  to  collect  more  than  the  half  of  his  poetry.  Hardiinaii  gives  the 
names  of  a  large  number  of  the  airs.  The  spirit  of  Irish  song  breathes  through 
his  music,  and  his  name  on  this  account  will  be  great  and  glorious  while  the  Gael 
lives  in  the  "  green  lands  of  Conn  and  Owen." 

What  is  almost  to  a  certainty  the  skull  of  the  blind  genius  should  be  regarded 
as  one  of  our  national  treasures  just  as  the  skull  of  Haydn  is  preserved  in  Vienna 
as  a  national  treasure  of  Austria.  When  the  remains  of  the  great  master  were  being 
removed  by  Prince  Esterhazy  from  the  church  near  his  own  house  to  the  parish 
church  of  Bisenstadt  the  skull  was  found  to  be  stolen.  It  was  afterwards  recovered 
and  sent  to  Vienna.  An  effort  should  be  made  to  acquire  for  the  National  Museum 
the  shell  in  which  floated  those  haunting  melodies  which  will  continue  to  delight 
Eire  throughout  the  ages,  and,  perhaps,  ideas  for  which  he  sought  utterance  in  vain 
even  in  the  language  of  music. 

L.   DONNELLAN,  C.C. 


"  From  the  reliable  testimony  of  the  laws  one  can  see  that  e\'en  in  those  re 
mote  times  (the  period  of  Cuchulainn)  the  population  of  Ireland  was  e([ual  to  whal 
it  is  to-day,  and  that  for  the  mass  of  the  people  the  standard  of  comfort  was  con 
siderably  higher. — Standish  0' Grady. 


72 


^jSv^fk^^^'^  system  of  governnieiil  in  ancient  Ireland  was  one  of  wheels  within 
U\y-\  wheels.  The  Ard-righ  had  nominal  authority  over  the  live  provincial 
StI,^®^  kings.  The  provinces,  in  their  turn,  were  made  up  of  territories, 
^S\^nm  over  each  of  which  ruled  a  sub-king.  These  territories  were  sub- 
divided  into  lots  containing  about  as  much  land  as  a  modern  barony 
and  governed  by  chiefs  or  lords.  I^astly,  the  different  tribes,  three  or  four  of  which 
would  probably  have  fitted  into  a  modern  parish,  had  each  their  own  chief. 

The  territory  of  Oirghialla,  in  which  stood  Louth,  or  Magh  Muirtheimhne 
(Ma  Murhevne)  as  it  was  then  called,  extended  from  Enniskillen  to  the  sea  at 
Drogheda.  This  territory  was  ruled  by  the  chief  of  Oriors  in  Armagh  who  drew 
tribute,  when  he  could  get  it,  from  all  the  other  chiefs  in  the  territory,  and,  in  turn, 
paid  tribute  to  the  king  of  Ulster.  Magh  Muirthemhne  itself  was  made  up  of  three 
smaller  districts,  Ard-Ciannachta  or  Ferrard  ;  Conaille  Muirthemhne,  comprising 
the  present  baronies  of  Ardee,  Louth,  and  Upper  Dundalk;  and  Cuailgne  or  Cooley. 
The  inhabitants  of  Ard-Ciannachta  were  called  the  Ciannachta,  those  of  Conaille 
Muirthemhne  were  called  the  Conaille,  and  those  of  Cuailgne  the  Ui  Meith.  Over 
each  of  these  districts  ruled  chiefs  who  were  tributary  to  the  ruler  of  Oirghialla. 
Bordering  on  County  Louth  were  the  district  of  the  Ui  Eathach  or  Iveagh  on  the 
opposite  side  of  Carlingford  Lough  in  the  territory  of  Ulidia,  the  district 
of  Farney  in  County  Monaghan,  and  the  district  of  Breagh  or  North  Meath.  In 
addition  to  the  princes,  the  abbots  of  monasteries  had  also  a  good  deal  of  temporal 
authority.  At  the  beginning  of  the  ninth  century,  before  the  arrival  of  the  Danes, 
there  were  almost  a  score  of  monasteries  in  the  County — Monasterboice,  Louth, 
Dromiskin,  Clonkeen,  Clonkeehan,  Killany,  Clonmore,  Doire-disirt-Dachonna  or 
Dysart,  Dromin,  Linn  Duachaill  or  Annagasson,  Lann-leire  or  Dunleer,  Killclogher 
at  Clogherhead,  Rooskey  near  Carlingford,  Killanche  or  Ashville,  Drumshallon, 
Drumcar,  Termonfeckin,  Tullyallen,  and  Killansnaw  near  Omeath.  How  these 
fared  at  the  hands  of  the  Danes  we  shall  see  in  the  course  of  the  paper. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  eighth  century,  Oirghialla  was  ruled  by  a  king  called 
Cumasgach  ;  Spelan  was  chief  of  Conaille  Muirtheimhne,  Flann  of  Ard  Ciannachta, 
and  Maelduin  MacGormley  was  chief  of  Cuailgne.  Spelan's  father,  Sluaighead- 
haigh  or  Slowey,  had  also  been  king,  but  in  the  interval  between  the  two  reigns 
the  latter's  brother,  Feehan,  had  ruled  for  three  years.  A  tabulated  list  of  chiefs 
with  the  length  of  their  reigns  will  be  found  at  the  end  of  the  paper. 

The  internal  feuds  of  the  Irish  princes  and  chiefs  contributed  very  much  to  the 
success  of  the  Danish  invasion,  and,  unfortunately,  the  chiefs  of  County  Louth 
were  no  exceptions  in  this  matter.  During  the  whole  period  that  the  Danes  were 
oppressing  the  Irish  an  old  feud  was  kept  up  between  the  Conailli  and  their  neigh- 
bours of  Iveagh  across  Carlingford  Lough.  In  the  reign  of  Slowey  a  very  bloody 
battle  was  fought  between  them,  and  resulted  in  a  great  slaughter  of  the  Conailli. 
Between  the  Ciannachta  and  their  neighbours  of  Breagh  disputes  were  very  common. 
A  feud  which  began  about  8ii  was  kept  up  with  great  bitterness  for  more  than  eight 
years.  In  812  a  battle  was  fought  in  which  large  numbers  of  the  Ciannachta, 
including  Tuathal,  who  had  succeeded  Flann  as  chief,  were  slain.  Cumasgach, 
Flann's  brother,  thought  he  should  have  succeeded,  but  was  passed  over  in  favour 
of  Cumasgach  son  of  Tuathal.  The  disappointed  candidate  joined  the  Bregians, 
and  in  820  the  combined  forces  inflicted  another  defeat  on  the  Ciannachta  at 
Carnconain.  Other  cases  of  dissensions  among  the  Irish  chiefs  will  be  mentioned 
in  the  course  of  the  paper.  I  thought  it  well  to  set  down  these  few  preliminary 
remarks  before  beginning  the  main  subject. 


COUNTY  LOUTH    ARCH.^:OLOGICAL  JOURNAL 


73 


The  attack  made  by  the  Danes  upon  Ireland  was  only  part  of  a  general  move- 
ment southwards  of  the  northern  races.  They  were  not  so  civilized  as  the  peoples 
whom  they  conquered,  they  were  cruel  in  battle  and  always  treated  the  contpicred 
races  harshly.  But  they  were  a  brave  courageous  people,  well-trained  in  all  that 
pertained  to  fighting,  not  unskilled  in  diplomacy,  and  never  afraid  to  start 
out  on  long  expeditions  over  seas  entirely  unknown  to  them.  Their  own  countries 
were  poor  and  barren  with  rapidly  increasing  populations,  and,  as  a  natural  result, 
the  exodus  to  more  southern  regions  began.  Among  those  who  settled  in  Ireland 
two  classes  are  to  be  distinguished — the  Finnghoill  or  P'air-haired  Foreigners,  natives 
of  Norway,  and  the  Dubhghoill,  or  Black  Foreigners,  natives  of  Denmark.  The 
Finnghoill  arrived  about  the  end  of  the  eighth  century,  the  Dubhghoill  did  not  make 
their  appearance  until  the  middle  of  the  ninth.  They  hated  each  other  even  more 
than  they  hated  the  Irish,  and,  in  the  struggle  for  supremacy  which  resulted, 
the  deciding  battle,  as  we  shall  see,  was  fought  off  our  own  coast,  in  Dundalk  Bay 
and  Carlingford  Ivough. 

In  the  times  during  which  the  Danes  had  dealings  with  Ireland,  two  periods 
may  be  distinguished.  The  first  extends  from  their  arrival  until  about  a.d.  832. 
During  this  period  they  never  tried  to  make  settlements  nor  had  they  any  political 
programme.  They  were  just  piratical  robbers,  whose  chief  prey  were  schools, 
monasteries  and  churches.  The  second  period  dates  from  the  arrival  of  Turgesius. 
This  leader,  the  most  capable  whom  the  Danes  had  yet  found,  formed  the  plan  of 
permanently  conquering  the  country,  and,  owing  as  much  to  the  dissensions  of  the 
native  princes  as  to  the  bravery  of  the  Danes,  temporarily  succeeded. 

The  Danes  first  landed  in  Ireland  in  the  year  795,  but  until  the  year  829  we 
do  not  find  that  they  troubled  the  I^outh  people.  That  year  they  ravaged  all  Louth, 
and  carried  with  them  to  their  ships  the  chief  of  Conaille  Muirtheimhne,  Maelbrighde, 
son  and  successor  of  Spelan,  and  his  brother  Conannan.  Maelbrighde  must  have 
been  ransomed  soon  after,  for  in  838  we  again  find  him  ruling  the  Conailli.  The 
following  year  these  same  Danes  burned  all  the  churches  in  Ard  Ciannachta, 
plundered  the  abbeys  of  Louth,  Omeath  and  Mucsnamh  (Castleblayney),  and  ritied 
the  shrine  of  St.  Adamnan  in  Donaghmoyne.  In  833  and  834  they  plundered  the 
abbeys  of  Slane,  Fennor  and  Dromin. 

About  the  year  833  they  commenced  the  policy  of  establishing  permanent 
settlements  and  naval  stations  in  Ireland.  As  might  be  expected,  both  from  its 
position  and  from  the  suitability  of  its  bays,  Louth  played  a  good  part  in  their 
operations. 

In  836  a  fleet  of  thirty  ships  took  up  its  station  on  the  Boyne  and 
ravaged  Meath.  In  838  they  established  a  naval  station  at  Lough  Neagh,  which 
overawed  the  Northern  princes  and  plundered,  amongst  others,  the  monastery  of 
Louth.  In  the  year  841  they  selected  Carlingford  Lough,  or  Cuan  vSnamh  Aighneach, 
as  it  was  then  called,  for  their  chief  naval  station,  and  at  the  same  time  decided 
to  set  up  a  fortress  at  Linn  duachaill — the  present  Pass  of  Lynns— at  Annagasson. 
As  a  preliminary,  they  destroyed  monasteries  at  both  these  places.  In  the  present 
townland  of  Cornamucklagh  in  Omeath  stood  the  old  monastery  of  Killansnamh 
"The  Church  of  the  Swimming-place."  When  the  Danes  arrived,  the  abbot,  luckily 
for  himself,  happened  to  be  away,  but  all  the  other  monks  were  slaughtered.  In 
Annagasson,  at  the  Pass  of  Lynns,  stood  an  old  numastery,  founded  centurus 
before  by  St.  Colman.  The  monks  had  warning  of  the  api)roach  of  the  Daiu-s, 
and  all  escaped  except  the  old  abbot  Comman,  who,  too  feeble  to  get  away  in  time, 

*  It  stood  just  opposite  Narrowwator  ("a.stle  on  a  plot  of  ground  now  occupied  by  a  lan  h  piaiitntion. 
Seventy  years  ago  some  remains  of  the  abbey  were  still  to  be  .seen,  and  in  the  gravt-yard  In'Mide  it, 
it  was  customary  to  inter  unbaptized  infants  and  thti  unidentified  remains  of  |)ersons  drowned  in  the 
Lough. 


74 


DANISH  I.OIJ'I'II. 


was  capl iiic'd.  'I'hcrc  is  a  tradition  that  he-  was  roasted  on  a  j^ridiron,  and  tlic  Annals 
of  Ulster,  who  phiee  tlie  event  at  842,  say  tliat  several  recreant  Irish  took  ])art  in 
the  atrocious  deed.  Later  on  in  the  year  two  more  fleets  arrived,  one  in  the  Boyne, 
the  other  to  auj^nient  tiiose  already  at  Annagasson.  It  would  be-  impossible 
to  describe  all  that  the  people  of  Louth  must  have  suffered  between  840  and  850. 
The  Annals  contain  nothing  but  accounts  of  massacres  and  burnings  during  those 
ten  years.*  Conaille  Muirthemhne  suffered  more  than  the  other  districts  of  the 
county.  The  chief  Maelbrighde,  of  whom  we  have  already  spoken,  had  to  retire 
altogether,  and  he  died  in  a  monastery  about  the  year  867.  The  people  of  Cian- 
naclita  offered  more  resistance.  In  846,  with  the  hel])  of  the  men  of  North  Meath, 
under  the  combined  leadership  of  Tighearna,  prince  of  Lagore,  they  inflicted  a  very 
sharp  defeat  on  the  Danes  at  Dysart  in  Louth.  The  following  year  the  men  of 
Ciannachta  helped  Tighearna  to  plunder  Dublin,  which  some  years  previously  had 
been  captured  by  the  Danes.  Cinaedh  was  chief  of  the  Ciannachta  at  this  time. 
Malachy  the  high  king  joined  the  alliance  which  thereupon  became  too  formidable 
for  the  Danes.  Danish  diplomacy  was  brought  into  play  and  Cinaedh  was  detached. 
In  848  the  men  of  Ciannachta,  through  the  perfidy  of  their  king,  found  themselves 
allied  with  the  foreigners  against  their  former  allies.  They  helped  the  foreigners 
to  ravage  all  Malachy's  territory,  to  plunder  Lagore — Tighernach's  stronghold — and 
to  burn  the  oratory  of  Treoit  in  Co.  Meath.  In  849  Cinaedh  got  his  reward.  Cut 
off  from  the  main  army  he  was  captured  by  the  combined  forces  of  Malachy  and 
Tighernach.  Tying  him  up  in  a  sack,  they  threw  him  into  the  river  Nann}-, 
and  some  days  later  his  putrified  body  was  cast  up  on  the  borders  of  his  own 
territory. 

About  the  year  849  the  Finnghoill  foreigners  got  something  to  divert  their 
attention  from  the  Irish.  In  that  year  the  Dubhghoill  arrived,  and  they  made  up 
their  minds  they  had  just  as  good  a  right  to  the  spoil  as  their  Finnghoill  brethren. 
A  great  many  of  these  Dubhghoill  evidently  were  Christians.  After  driving  the 
Finnghoill  out  of  Dublin,  they  turned  their  attention  to  the  settlements  in  County 
Louth.  In  850  a  very  hard  battle  was  fought  between  them  at  Annagasson,  as 
a  result  of  which  the  Finnghoill  lost  all  their  possessions  and  their  ships.  The  next 
year,  851,  the  Finghoill  attempted  to  regain  possession  of  all  that  they  had  lost. 
Setting  out  from  Norway  with  seventy  ships,  their  two  leaders  largno  and  Lain 
entered  Carlingford  Lough  and  Dundalk  Bay.  A  bloody  battle  ensued,  and,  as  a 
result  of  the  first  day's  fighting,  the  Finghoill  were  enabled  to  land  a  large  force.  On 
the  morning  of  the  second  day,  Horm,  leader  of  the  Dubhghoill,  having  assembled 
his  men,  delivered  to  them  a  spirited  oration.  Amongst  other  advice  he  told  them 
to  put  themselves  under  the  protection  of  St.  Patrick,  whose  shrine  the  Finnghoill 
had  dishonoured,  to  pray  to  him  fervently  and  to  promise  him  honourable  alms 
in  return  for  victory.  Immediately  the  fight  was  renewed.  The  Finnghoill  were 
now  in  a  stronger  position  than  the  day  before,  and,  in  addition,  they  had  the 
assistance  of  Matodan,  king  of  Ulidia  or  Co.  Down.  The  sea  forces  were  led  by 
largno,  and  the  land  forces  by  him  and  Matodan.  For  three  days  the  battle  was 
fought  vigorously,  but  after  three  thousand  of  their  men  had  been  slain  the  Finn- 
ghoill gave  way.  The  victorious  Dubhghoill  entered  their  opponents'  camp,  seized 
all  their  property  and  captured  their  ships.  The  power  of  the  Finnghoill  in  Ireland 
was  broken,  but  they  lingered  on  for  some  time  longer.  In  861  scattered  bands  of 
them  broke  open  the  caves  of  Knowth,  Dowth  and  Newgrange. 

The  Dubhghoill  were  not  altogether  so  cruel  to  the  Irish  as  the  P'innghoill 
had  been,  but  they  were  bad  enough.    Their  object  was  not  so  much  to  massacre 

*  I  believe  that  this  is  the  jjeriod  which  best  accounts  for  the  existence  of  the  caves  and  the  flat- 
topped  mounds  in  Ireland.  From  their  formation  obviously  both  were  erected  as  places  of  temporary 
refuge,  and  they  are  numerous  in  those  districts  in  which  are  known  that  the  Danes  had  encamp- 
ments.   County  Louth  is  almost  honeycombed  with  subterranean  passages. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH.l^OLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


75 


the  Irish  as  to  make  them  tributary.    The  Irish,  by  their  dissensions,  gave  them 
every  chance.    In  849,  when  the  Conailh  should  have  been  takinj^  advantage  of 
the^var  between  the  Finnghoill  and  the  Dubhghoill  to  wipe  out  both  parties,  they 
employed  their  newly-found  leisure  in  sending  an  expedition  against  Caireall  Mac 
Ruadhrach  lord  of  Dartrey.    The  expedition  was  successful  and  Caireall  was  slain 
near  his  residence  on  the  banks  of  Lough  Ooney  at  vSmithborough.    The  Ciannachta 
were  not  so  bad.    In  the  year  851,  headed  by  their  king  Muireadhaigh  or  Murray, 
they  inflicted  two  serious  defeats  on  the  Dubhghoill.    In  the  following  year,  852, 
Olaf  came  over  from  Denmark  as  king  of  all  the  foreigners  in  Ireland.    He  estab- 
hshed  his  headquarters  at  Annagasson,  and  until  his  death  in  Sqi  he  made  matters 
hot  for  the  Irish.    He  subjected  the  Conailli  and  made  Gairbhith  or  (iar\-ey.  son  of 
the  old  king  Maelbrighte,  pay  heavy  tribute.    His  great  opponent  was  the  Ard-righ, 
Malachy,  one  of  whose  chief    allies  in  the  struggle  was  the  young  chief  of  Ard- 
Ciannachta,  Flann  son  of  Conaing.    For  a  number  of  years  they  successfullv  opposed 
Olaf,  but  Danish  diplomacy  again  prevailed.    In  858  Aedh  Finnliath,  tanist  of  Ire- 
land fell  out  with  Malachy,  and  Flann  sided  with  him.    Olaf  adroitly  managed 
to  ally  himself  with  the  two  rebellious  chiefs.    The  allies  gave  Malachy  great  trouble 
and  ravaged  Meath.    In  861,  on  the  death  of  Malachy,  Aedh-Finnliath  succeeded, 
and  he  soon  found  it  necessary  not  only  to  give  up  his  Danish  alliance  but  to  take 
the  field  against  them.    Marching  into  Louth,  he  was  joined  by  Flann,  and  they 
inflicted  a  crushing  defeat  on  Olaf.    The  advantages  of  this  victory  were  lost  soon 
after,  owing  to  Niall  and  Flann  quarrelling.    The  latter,  through  spite,  again  joined 
the  Danes.    In  866  a  bloody  battle  was  fought  at  Killineer  near  Drogheda  ;  the 
allied  Irish  and  foreigners  were  defeated,  and  Flann  himself  was  slam.    He  appears 
to  have  been  a  brave  courageous  chief  and  a  good  general,  but  he  did  not  see 
clearly  that  the  issue  was  one  between  the  Irish  and  the  invaders,  and  he  too  often 
allowed  the  wily  Olaf  to  play  him  off  against  other  Irishmen.    Cinaedh  son  of  Mael- 
ruanagh  succeeded  to  the  chiefdom  of  Ard-Ciannachta,  but  lived  only  a  few  months. 
Cumascach,  son  of  Flann's  predecessor  Muireadhaigh,  was  next  cliief,  and  Flann's 
son  Conaing  was  made  tanist.    The  same  year  (867)  the  old  chief  Maelbrighde  who 
had  been  driven  out  by  the  Finnghoill  in  837  and  who  had  since  lived  in  a  monastery, 
died.    In  840  his  son  Garvey  had  managed  to  get  some  authority,  but  was  forced 
to  pay  heavy  tribute  to  the  Dubhghoill.    In  spite  of  this  he  found  time  to  keep  up 
the  old  feud  between  the  Conailli  and  the  people  of  Iveagh,  and  in  875  lost  his  life 
in  the  battle  with  them.    His  brother  and  successor  Gibhleacan*  kept  the  feud  going, 
In  879  he  inflicted  a  crushing  defeat  on  the  Iveagh  people,  and  again  in  88b  he  de- 
feated them  and  slew  their  king  Hanvey.    Gibhleacan  was  succeeded  in  886  by 
his  nephew  Maelmordha,  but  after  a  reign  of  three  months  the  latter  was  beheaded 
by  Ceallach  Mac  Flannagem,  a  neighbouring  prince.    His  brother  Conghalach 
succeeded,  and  his  son  Garvey  was  appointed  tanist.    These  doings  of  the  Irish 
chiefs  at  a  time  when  united  together  they  should  have  been  presenting  a  bold 
front  to  the  enemy  do  not  make  pleasant  reading.    In  Ard-Ciannachta  too  they 
had  their  quarrels  about  this  time,  and  in  881  the  young  tanist,  Conaing,  a  youth 
of  great  promise,  was  killed  in  a  feud.   This  same  year  (881)  the  over-lord  of  Louth, 
Maelpadraig  king  of  Oirghialla,  was  slain  by  his  own  tril)e,  the  Airtheara  in  County 
Armagh. 

About  the  year  891  the  Conailli  roused  themselves.  H\-i(lently  the  Danish 
tax  had  become  too  heavy.  Taking  the  foreigners  unawares,  they  slaughtered 
over  eight  hundred  of  them  (891).  Among  those  who  ])erished  was  Olaf  him.self. 
He  had  been  a  very  astute  ruler,  and  for  over  forty  years  had  governed  the  Danes 
of  Ireland  with  great  success.  But  fighting  their  fellow-Irish  was  a])parently  a 
more  pleasant  task  for  the  Conailli  than  fighting  the  Danes.    Having  got  free  ironi 

*  "  The  rapgcd  king." 


76 


DANISH  LOUTH. 


Ur-  Danish  lax,  tliey  iniiiiediatcly  revived  the  old  feud  with  the  people  of  Iveaj^h. 
The  latter,  in  8()4,  inflicted  a  severe  defeat  on  their  adversaries.  In  904  the  Conailli 
sent  an  expedition  into  North  Meath,  defeated  the  Hregians  and  slew  the  tanist 
of  Hreaj^h  and  his  brother.  To  crown  all,  in  907,  an  internal  dissension  commenced 
between  Conghallach  the  chief  of  Conaille  and  Oarvey  the  tanist,  which  was  destined 
to  have  fatal  results.  Oarvey  resided  in  the  abbey  of  Dromiskin,  and  one  evening 
in  the  spring  of  Q08,  Conghallach  had  the  monastery  surrounded.  In  the  fight  which 
ensued,  both  (xarvey  and  the  abbot,  Murray  MacCormack,  were  slain.  The  people, 
horrified  at  this,  rose  in  revolt  and  killed  Coughallach.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Garvey's  son  Domhnall,  who  was  killed  in  910  at  the  battle  of  Crossakeel  while 
assisting  the  Ulidians  against  the  Meathmen.  The  next  chief,  Maelbrighte  son  of 
(iibhleacan,  lost  his  life  in  911  fighting  his  hereditary  enemies  the  people  of  Iveagh. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Conghalach's  son  Spelan,  who  in  921  also  lost  his  life  in  a  feud. 
The  Ciannachta,  too,  were  having  their  own  feuds  during  this  time.  In  881  the 
young  tanist  Flann  lost  his  life  in  battle  with  the  Meathmen.  In  891  the  chief 
Cumascach  was  slain  by  the  Ulidians.  In  911  the  people  refused  to  pay  tribute 
to  the  Ard-righ  Flann.  With  a  large  army  he  invaded  their  territory,  but  does 
not  seem  to  have  made  much  of  it.  Flann  himself  was  slain  by  the  Danes  in  917. 
His  successor,  Donchadh,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign  made  an  alliance  with  the 
Ciannachta  against  the  Danes.  The  allied  armies  gained  a  decisive  victory  over 
the  Danes  at  Tigh-mac-nEathach  in  Ferrard.  The  Danes  had  got  fresh  auxiliaries 
and  supplies  from  Denmark  in  916,  and  they  felt  the  defeat  very  sorely.  From 
this  time  forward  a  better  spirit  animated  the  Irish.  In  921  the  Danes  again  became 
active.  They  ravaged  Ferrard  and  plundered  the  abbey  of  Dunleer.  But  just 
at  this  time  the  Irish  got  a  leader  about  whose  genius  and  heroism  all  the  annals 
are  agreed — a  man  whose  prowess  earned  for  him  the  title  of  "  Hector  of  the  West  " 
— Muirchertach  MacNeill,  tanist  of  Ireland.  Contemporary  with  him  lived  another 
leader  whose  bravery  cannot  be  denied,  but  whose  patriotism  on  several  occasions 
may  be  called  in  question — Callachan  of  Cashel.  The  first  mention  of  Muirchertach 
in  the  annals  tells  how  he  intercepted  some  of  the  Danes  of  Carlingford  Lough  when 
they  were  returning  from  a  raid  on  the  old  abbey  of  Killeavy  at  the  base  of  Sliabh 
Gullion.  In  the  beginning  of  928  he  attacked  them  in  their  stronghold  of  Carling- 
ford lyough,  defeated  them,  and  drove  them  out.  On  the  28th  December  of  the 
same  year  he  attacked  the  settlement  at  Annagasson.  At  one  of  the  bridges  over 
the  Dee,  near  Annagasson— the  Bridge  of  Clonnacruimthir — the  Danes  suffered 
a  crushing  defeat.  Their  three  leaders,  Albdann,  son  of  Godfrey,  king  of  the  Danes 
of  Ireland,  Aufer  and  Roilt,  along  with  800  men,  were  slain.  Next  day  the  whole 
Danish  navy  in  Dundalk  Bay  was  captured.  The  portion  of  the  Danish  army  that 
escaped  after  the  battle  were  shut  up  and  besieged  at  Athcruithne  near  Ardee, 
until  relieved  by  Godfrey  himself,  and,  even  then,  they  only  managed  to  escape, 
with  great  loss,  through  Meath  to  Dublin.  As  a  result  of  these  defeats  the  Irish 
annals  have  all  the  following  short  but  pregnant  entry  : — "  The  foreigners  of  Linn 
duachaill  left  Ireland."  This  marks  the  clearing  of  the  Danish  settlements  out  of 
County  Louth,  and  henceforth  whenever  they  are  mentioned  in  connection  with 
the  county  it  is  to  be  understood  that  they  were  only  plundering  parties  belonging 
to  other  settlements.  In  the  year  939  Muirchertach  made  his  famous  circuit  of 
Ireland.  His  camping  places  in  County  Louth  were  at  Annagasson  and  Drogheda, 
and  we  may  be  sure  that  on  this  occasion  he  quenched  any  sparks  of  Danish  power 
that  may  have  remained.  Still,  roving  parties  of  the  Danes  often  entered  Louth 
from  Meath  at  Ardee  and  did  great  harm.  In  these  expeditions  they  found  the 
island  of  Inismocht  near  Ardee  a  convenient  camping  ground.  It  was,  at  that  time, 
surrounded  on  all  sides  by  water,  and  in  the  year  900  St.  Mochta  MacCearnaghan 
thought  it  a  very  safe  place  in  which  to  build  a  monastery.    In  the  winter  of  939 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH.EOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


77 


they  occupied  it,  and  again  in  940  they  crossed  on  the  ice  and  phuidered  the  monas- 
tery. They  again  entered  Louth  in  942  under  the  command  of  Bhacar  son  of 
Godfrey.  Muirchertach  intercepted  them  at  Ardee.  The  battle  went  against  the 
Irish  chief,  and,  on  March  26th,  true  to  the  last  to  the  cause  for  which  he  had  so 
bravely  laboured,  he  fell,  lighting  bravely. 

In  954  a  great  naval  battle  was  fought  in  Dundalk  Bay  between  the  Munster 
fleet  and  the  Danish  fleet.  None  of  the  County  Louth  peoi)le  took  part  in  this  flght, 
the  object  of  which  was  to  effect  the  liberation  cf  Callaghan  king  of  Cashel.  The 
Danes  were  literally  slaughtered  and  lost  their  three  great  leaders — Tor,  Sitric, 
and  Magnus.  In  960  Conaille  was  plundered  by  the  fleet  of  Olaf  king  of  the  Danes. 
In  968  they  again  entered  Louth  and  seized  the  monasteries  of  Droniiskin,  I/)uth, 
Monasterboice  and  Dunleer,  but  were  soon  driven  out  by  the  Ard-righ  Domh'nall 
and  his  son  Muirchertach.  In  this  foray  they  slew  400  people  who  had  taken 
refuge  in  the  abbey  of  Dunleer.  Between  that  year  and  the  year  1014.  when  they 
were  so  signally  defeated  at  Clontarf,  we  find  no  more  mention  of  their  doings  in 
County  Louth. 

Of  the  twenty  abbeys  that  had  flourished  in  Louth  before  the  arri\-al  of  the 
Danes  not  more  than  five  existed  at  the  close  of  the  ninth  century,  and  even  these 
had  been  plundered  and  burnt  many  times  over. 

As  a  result  of  the  long  settlement  of  the  Danes  in  County  Louth  many  of  the 
principal  family  names  of  the  County  are  of  Danish  origin.  Examples  ot  these  are 
Blacker,  Crosby,  Crossan,  Dromgoole,  MacAuliffe  (Olaf),  MacKittrick  (Sitric), 
MacKeever,  Maclvor,  Plunkett,  Soraghan,  and  Taaffe. 


TABLE  OF  KINGS  AND  CHIEFS 


EIRINN 
A  rd-righ 


OIRGHIALLA 
King 


Colla  da  Crioch 

Felim 

Cruinn 

Loite 

Colga,  died 

520 

Cairbre  $ 

560 

Beg  Mac  Cooney 

594 

s^iall  Frossach 

766 

Duvdun 

598 

iugh  Oirdnighe 

791-823 

Aedh 

606 

[loncubhar 

832 

Maelodhar 

636 

s'iall  Caille 

845 

Donnchadh 

675 

Halachi  I. 

863 

Maelforthataigh 

695 

^.edh  Finnliath 

878 

Cumascach 

825 

^lann 

916 

Godfrey 

835 

s'iall  Glundubh 

919 

Fogartach 

850 

Donnchadh 

944 

Maelcaurarda 

851 

3onghalach 

954 

Conghalach 

874 

Domhnall 

980 

Maelpadraig 

882 

Vlalachi  II. 

999 

Maelcraoibhe 

917 

Brian  i 

002-1014 

Fogartach 

947 

CONAILLE  MUIRTHEMHNE 
Chief  A.I). 


—       Uaircridhe  Ua  Oisene,  died  686 

Awley  MacCasey  736 

Foidmeann  MacFallach  747 

Uargal  760 

Slowey  784 

Spelan  I.  822 

Maelbrighte  1.  867 

Garvey  I.  875 
Gibhleacan  (the  ragged  king)  886 

Maelmordha  887 

Conghallach  906 

Domhnall  910 

Maelbrighte  II.  911 

Spelan  II.  921 

Croinghilla  935 

Maceitigh  949 

Matudan  995 

Gillachrist  998 


ARD  CIANNACHTA 


Chief 

A.I). 

Dubhdainbher,  d. 

686 

Aenghus 

750 

Murray  I. 

774 

Ceallach 

786 

Flann 

807 

Doiighall 

812 

Cuniasach  I. 

820 

Donchadh 

828 

Cinnasach  II. 

838 

Cinaith 

849 

Murray  II. 

85.} 

Flann 

866 

Cineadh 

867 

Cumascach  III. 

892 

Innerge 

953 

Tadgh 

974 

OMEATH 
Chief 


Artrach 
Murray 
Hanratty 
Flaithrigh 


Mat-lduin 
MacGornilcy 


7; 


8 


Cairbre  King  of  Oirghialla  was  the  ancestor  of  the  MacMahons  of  Farncy. 


Authorities  used  : — 
Four  Masters— Annals  of  Ulster— Trias  Thaumaturga,  Colgan— Father  MacCanna' s  Uinc 
—Wars  of   the  Gael  and  Gall,  Todd— Archdall— Louth  Letters  in  /?././!  .—Various  articles 
Columban  Record—'  ItMrteAtiAt^   nA   ^Ae-Cilse  "—Kilkenny  Archaeological   Journal— Book 
Leinster—3ind  O'Donovan's  "Battle  of  Magh  Lath,"  from  Yellow  Book  of  Lecan. 

\,()\\cSu  p.  Ua  tlliniAeAtXMj^ 
L 


7« 


Igttorb^  ixxxb  Itlaieic  (trabtttottal)  of 

tUifi  CiUe  CjiOASAti. 
RT  MacCooey  was  bard  to  the  O'Neills  of  Drumraeva  ;  the  O'Neills 
are  gone,  Drumraeva  is  a  heap  of  stones,  but  Art  MacCooey  is 
still  remembered.  His  "monument  more  enduring  than  bronze" 
is  due  C|\eA5An.  This  beautiful  song  found  a  home  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people ;  men  sang  it  in  the  fields,  girls  sang  it  in  the 
\  cottage,  twilight  and  mountain  mists  were  filled  with  it  when 
lusty  herd-boys  drove  the  cattle  home.  To-day  not  a  singer  of 
the  sean-Gaedhil  from  Farney  to  Omeath  but  numbers  it  in  his  repertoire.  This 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at  ;  the  poet  sang  the  soul  of  the  nation.  The  eighteenth 
century  was  for  the  Irish  a  period  of  resignation,  helpless,  cheerless  and  unbroken 
even  by  one  short  day  of  hope,  and  so  when  Art  MacCooey  sang  of  a  mystic  land, 
a  bright  land  of  promise  where  no  Gall  had  set  foot,  where  the  darts  of  clan- William's 
scorn  could  not  reach,  the  people  yielded  to  the  message.  The  land  of  the  poet's 
vision  could  have  been  to  them  hardly  less  real,  less  attainable  than  the  realities 
they  had  vainly  striven  for.  From  a  national  standpoint  TJijA  Cille  C|\eA5An  is  a 
song  of  despair,  not  a  passionate  despair,  but  the  despair  of  a  people  who  had 
unstrung  their  harps  and  sat  down  by  the  waters  of  Babylon  to  weep. 

Many  translations  of  it  have  appeared  in  English.  Amongst  the  people  a  ballad 
version  known  as  "  The  Indulgence  of  Creggan  "  had  a  great  vogue.  In  literary 
circles  it  reappeared,  from  the  gifted  mind  of  Sir  Samuel  Ferguson  as  "  The  Fairy 
Land  of  Promise  "  and  again  in  a  more  literal  casting,  in  a  small  volume  of  "  Poems 
and  Essays,"  by  George  Harley  Kirk  (published  by  Fowder,  Dublin,  1863).  No 
doubt  Mr.  Kirk  will  be  pleased  to  see  in  a  journal  of  archaeology  for  Co.  Eouth 
the  original  of  his  "  Near  the  Clay  of  Creggan's  Church,"  published  by  him  forty 
years  before  our  Society  was  thought  of. 

The  version  which  we  give  here  is  that  published  by  the  Ossianic  Society  (vol.  II.) 
and  the  variants  given  below  are  taken  from  MvSvS.  which  have  been  placed  at  our 
disposal. 


COUNTY  LOUTH   ARCH.lilOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


79 


tup  ciiie  ctioASAti/ 

Cille  C|\eA5-An  'fe^-b  Cot)^iL  me  'haoiji  pAoi 
'S  le  Ti-ei|\5it)  Tu\  niAi-one  CAtK\ic  <\itTDi]\       mo  "Oein  le  P65  ^ 

t)'e  AOiline^f^  ah  "OoniAin  Vieiu       <.\nu\fAC  ^^\^  .\n  ]\i()t;An  6-^.^ 

An  u-sioto5. 

ACc  e1|^51'6  50  CApAit)  if  UAf"-'  liomfA  fiAf  'f^  *, 

50  ci'|\-'OeAf  An  jeAllAit)^  tiaC  iDfUAif  ^-^^^l-       f'^-A'o®  |\eim  550  poill 

5eAttA1|\^^  AOlGnCAf  A1|\  ri-AllAOlt)  "DO  T)'   ttieAllA  le  flATIfA  CcoiL 

All  b^RT). 

A  fiojAin^^  iriitif  An  cu  llelen  fo  '|\  c|AeA$"OAm  floii^^^ 

Ho  'n  -oo^^  nAoi  mnA  "oeAfA  pA^nAffuif  tu  t)i'  "oeuncA  '5016*6  5Cl6"6, 

5oiT)e  'n^*  cif  'f Agcjimnne  Ap  ti-oileAt)  tu,  a  |\eulc  5;An  ceo 

te  ']v  rhiAn  leAC  mo  fArtiml-fe  beit  cosAfnAiT^)  leAC  fiAft  'fA  t\6'o  ? 

An  cSlOtOS. 

Ha  piApfAit)  "biom  ceifc,  6i|\  ni  co"oluim  A|\  An  CAo6-fA  "oo'n  ml^oinn 
A6c  If  nAoi^^  beA5  teini6  m6  a  n-oileA*6  le  caoiO  ^^AAinne  615  ; 
A  mbfuigm^^  6eAfc  An  n-ollArh  bim  50  folluf  A5  "oufgAb  An  Ceoil 
t)im^'  UfAtnonA  A5  UeArhAif  if  A|\  mAiX)in  le  CA016  Ci'f-eo^Ain  ! 

An  X)Srx). 

ni  -biulcAin^®  "oo  CuifeAt)  Aif\  a  scfvuinneAn  nA  Uio$  X)o'n  6|\ 
A6c  5Uf  clA-OAftA  Horn  fgAfrtiuin^®  6  m'  Ca\^a  c4  fA  ci|\  50  foill 
An  6611'  UD  A  rheAllAf  le  m'  §eAllAi6         bi  fi  65 
*Oa  -ocf^igfinn  Anoif  1',  nAf  6  fiofAC  •6Am  50  mbeAt)  fi  'mbf6n 


1.  — Ui|i-cilt  An  C|ieA5Ain. 

2.  — Also  te  P615. 

3.  — *Ol'f-5t*WA1'6   5A|1|1CA;    also  -Olf-^fUAlX)   fUAX)   CO|t  Uljltl. 

4.  — Also  uitifii'. 

5.  — 'S  5U|i  b  e  tocflAince  ad  -oorTiAin. 

6.  — Also  615. 

7.  — 1-neulcAtb. 

7A. — -Ajuf  AfCfuij  liom. 

8.  — nA  njeAllAtriAin ;  also  riA  tneAlA. 

9.  — nAC  bpuAi|i  gAllA  innci  |teiTn  50  poill. 

10.  — -A5Uf  AoibneAf  A|i  rAllAiT)ib  -oo  mo  tiieAllA-o-f a  le  fiAmfAift  ceoil. 

11.  — A  fiox)A-beAn  milif,  and  A  fiojAin  -oCAf  milif. 

12.  — belen  Aca  Ac-eitije  beo. 

13.  — "Oe  nA  nAoi  mnAib. 

14.  — CAT)  cif  inf  An. 

15.  — If  fi05Ai-6e  beA5,  and  ip  "A"  bocc. 

16.  — 1  ■opiof -fjoit  nA  n-ollAtTiAn. 

jj—Ua  mbeinn  fAn  oix)ce  Aij^e  CeAriiAif,  beinn  Af  mA>i)in  Af  c\a\\  rif -eotjAin. 

18.  — Also  m'  -oiulcfAinn. 

19.  — SgAf  ATTiAinc  le  mo  cAf  ait). 


8o 


TIac^  m  voA|\t\  -(iinr,  yeAl  rAmiiiLl,  le  AinT)i|A  riA  nt)lAoit-f:olr;''^^  (>i|\ 
116  'ti         A  t)eit  pononiAi)        <^ac  \\a{')au  a  ntjein  cii  CxH)^l 

All  b^UT). 

'S  e  mo  ^eti|A-50in  ceinnif  gujA  te^fOA  uAinn  ^^aoi-OiL  Ui'f-eoj^Ain 
'S  50^^  Dpuil  oi5|\e  An  peA^A  gAti  fCA^Af  pAoi  UA5  -o'  A|\  5;c6i|A  ; 
■^^eAgA  ^LAn-'OAite  Tleill  1P|\A|^Ai5  riAC  'ocfei^eA't')^^  ceoL 
If  Cui|\peAt)  ei-oeAiti  po  Tlolluic  A|a  da  ti-ollAirh  biA-OA^^  geile  -boiG. 

All  cSlOtO^^. 

O  ciAeAj-OAtti  tiA  C|\eADA^^  fin  An  Acfuim  'f  fofAoif !  'fA  t)oinn 
SlioCc  TTlileAt)^'  nA  bflAit  bCAfAt)  f AfgAt)  "DO  5AC  "Ofui^  5An  gteo  ; 
Y\a6  m'  fCAff  t)uic  'f  nA  UofAib  Aguf  mife  let)  tAoit)  5AC  noin 
Ha  fAij-oe  clAnn  tDmily  Geit  collAiti  fAoi  -o'  cfoit)e  50  -oeo 

AH  bAnx). 

A  |\io5Ain  rhiUf  mA  'f  cineAtriAin  "ouic  me  mAf  fcof 

UAbAlfV  LeA^fA  'gUf  geAltAT!)  fUt  fA  "OCeigim   leAC  f1A|\  'fA  fOX) 

ITlA  CAjAm  fo'n  cSeAnAinn,  a  •oUi|A-mAnAin  no  fA  TIeipce  moif 
5tipAb  'gcilt^^  CubAfCA  An  CfCA^Ain  leAgfAf  me  a  gcfe  fAoi  fot). 


The  following  is  Ferguson's  not  less  beautiful  rendering  : — 
THE  FAIRY  LAND  OF  PROMISE. 

On  the  clay  of  Creggan  churchyard  I  slept  all  the  night  in  woe, 

With  the  rise  of  morn,  a  maiden  came  and  kissed  me,  bending  low  ; 

Her  cheeks  had  the  blush  of  beauty,  her  tresses  the  golden  sheen, 

'T  was  the  world's  delight  to  gaze  on  the  face  of  that  fair  young  queen. 

."  0  true  heart,"  she  said,  "  and  constant  ;  consume  not  in  grief  for  aye. 
But  arise  and  make  ready  swiftly,  and  come  to  the  west  away  ; 
In  that  Fair  Land  of  Promise  strangers  rule  o'er  no  sea  nor  shore, 
And  the  sweetness  of  fairy  music  shall  entrance  thee  for  evermore." 

"  Not  for  all  the  gold  that  monarchs  could  heap  on  the  round  of  earth 
Would  I  stay  when  you  seek  me,  princess  !— but  this  lone  land  of  my  birth 
Keeps  yet  on  its  hills  some  kindred  my  heart  would  be  loath  to  leave. 
And  the  bride  that  in  youth  I  wedded,  were  I  gone,  would,  it  maybe,  grieve." 


20.  — Also  A  TTiAijieAf  -oe. 

21.  6l|l  CAIU  f AObUAIT),  bocr,  bA|1|lA1T)eAC,  bAOC  JAtl  "OOlj. 

22.  — fiA  mAot-c|iAob  meof. 

23.  — -As^r  o^5t^^  An  f    .    .    .    I1A5  riAc  c6i|i. 

24.  — tlA|i  -ocjieigpeAX). 

25.  — t!)eAT)  Aj,  TjeilleAT)  -oo. 

26.  — flA  cjieAbAnnA  bi   1  neAcx)fiuim,  ip  fAitoiji  pA'n  mbomn. 

27.  — Ijie  riA  f  Iaca  A  bcAjipAX)     .     .     .     JJAC  -OjlAOl  ... 

28.  — Also  50  x)e6i-6" 

29.  — A  jiiojAin  "oeAf,   miiif  ... 

30.  — If  jeAllAX)  x>orn   Af  mAi-oin   ful   mA  . 

31.  — Also  1  gCfic-niAnnAin. 

32.  —    .    .    .    Aj;  5Aex)il  curhfA 


COUNTV  LOUTH  ARCHiEO LOGICAL  JOURNAL, 


In  moderate  time. 

I 


(Susan  Murphy).  Upper  loughal 

J    J  J 


1  jj-fij  j.-tTrM 


I  f- 


i 


•I  I J  J  J 


 1  

2  1 

[  4 

COUNTY  LOCJTH   ARCH.EOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


8l 


"  Methinks  that,  of  all  thy  kindred,  no  friend  hast  thou  living  now.— 
None  speaks  but  to  deride  thee,  none  grieves  for  thy  stricken  brow  ; 
No  hand  goes  to  clasp  a  comrade's,  no  eyes  to  look  into  thine  — 
Why  tarry  in  snows  of  sorrow,  when  I  call  to  a  life  divine  ?" 

"  Ah,  my  anguish,  my  wound  !  we've  lost  them,  the  Gael  of  our  true  Tyrone. 
And  the  Heir  of  the  Fews,  unhonoured.  sleep  under  the  cold  grey  stone  ; 
Brave  branches  of  Niall  Frasach,  whose  delight  were  the  lays  of  old. 
Whose  hearts  gave  the  minstrels  welcome,  whose  hands  gave  the  poets  gold  !  " 

"  Since  at  Aughrim  all  were  vanquished,  and  the  Boyne — alas,  my  woe  '! 

And  fallen  the  great  Milesians,  and  every  chieftain  low,— 

Were  't  not  better  to  fairy  fortress  to  flee,  in  our  love,  away. 

Than  to  suffer  Clan  William's  *  arrows  in  thy  torn  heart  every  day." 

"  One  pledge  I  shall  ask  you  only,  one  promise,  0  queen  divine  ; 
And  then  I  will  follow  faithful, — still  follow  each  step  of  thine,— 
Should  I  die  in  some  far-off  country,  in  our  wanderings  east  and  west. 
In  the  fragrant  clay  of  Creggan,  let  my  weary  heart  have  rest." 

The  air  here  given  was  taken  down  directly  from  the  singinj^  of 
Mrs.  Susan  Murphy,  of  Foughal,  Dromintee  ;  but  as  she  sang  it  in  a  rather  "  unsing- 
able  "  key  it  was  thought  better  to  put  it  in  the  present  one.  I  hope  also  the 
harmony  I  have  ventured  to  add  will  make  it  more  acceptable  to  the  many  whose 
ears  are  not  yet  attuned  to  the  sweet  simplicity  of  our  old  airs.  The  air  is  left  un- 
touched in  the  treble. 

After  I  took  down  this  version  from  the  singing  of  Mrs.  Murphy,  I  came  across 
another  version  in  Petrie's  Ancient  Irish  Music  (New  Ed.,  No.  1579).  I^-trie  got 
it  from  a  J.  Tighe,  and  he  says  it  is  a  "  County  of  Louth  "  air.  '  vSir  C.  V.  Stanford 
remarks  that  the  phonetic  English  title  to  this  air  is  written  thus  "  Un  Killan 
Creggam."  There  is  a  great  difference  between  the  two  versions,  which,  after  all, 
is  what  one  would  expect.  At  page  x  of  his  introduction  Petrie  says,  "The  result 
of  my  experience  as  a  collector  of  our  melodies  is,  that  I  rarely  if  ever  obtained 
two  settings  of  an  unpublished  air  that  were  strictly  the  same,  though  in  some  in- 
stances I  have  got  as  many  as  fifty  notations  of  one  melody." 

Tighe's  version  has  not  so  tiue  a  rhythm  of  a  traditionally  preserved  air  as 
Mrs.  Murphy's.  The  rhythm  of  Irish  airs  can  often  only  be  determined  by  a  reference 
to  the  songs  which  had  been  sung  to  them  or  from  their  strict  analogy  to  airs  whose 
rhythmical  structure  had  been  thus  determined. 

Perhaps  an  instrumentalist  was  Tighe's  authority  for  his  version.  With  regard 
to  such,  Petrie  states,  "  I  have  found  them  the  least  to  be  trusted,  and  it  was  only 
from  the  chanting  of  vocalists,  who  combined  words  with  the  airs,  that  settings 
could  be  made  which  would  have  any  stamp  of  purity  and  authenticity." 

The  structure  of  the  song  does  not  suit  his  setting.  Petrie,  after  dealing  witli 
the  danger  of  instrumentalists  introducing  barbarous  licenses  and  conventionalities, 
continues  :  "  Those  airs  are  not,  like  so  many  modern  melodies,  mere  ah  lihititm 
arrangements  of  a  pleasing  succession  of  tones,  unshackled  by  a  rigid  obedience 
to  metrical  laws  ;  they  are  arrangements  of  tones  in  a  general  way  expressive  of  the 
sentiments  of  the  songs  for  which  they  were  composed,  but  always  coincident  witli. 
and  subservient  to,  the  laws  of  rhythm  and  metre  which  govern  the  construction 


*  The  Williamites.  and  Knglish  in  gt-nrral 


82 


inn  CaWo  cn(^A?;xMi. 


of  Ihosi."  s<)iiij;s,  and  to  which  they  coiiseciucnlly  owe  their  ])ecuHarities  of  structure." 

The  air  evidently  belongs  to  that  chiss  of  airs  in  triple  time,  which  is  the  most 
peculiarly  Irish  in  its  structure,  and  to  which  Pctrie  applies  the  term  "  narrative." 

He  proceeds  :  "  A  reference  to  the  words  sung  to  those  airs  will  at  once  show 
that  the  bar  should  be  marked  at  the  first  crotchet  or  dotted  quaver,  after  a  start 
or  introduction  of  half  a  measure,  so  that  the  accents  throughout  the  melody  would 
fall  on  the  emphatic  words  as  well  as  the  notes.  This  rhythmical  concordance 
of  the  notes  of  the  melody  with  the  words  of  the  song  must,  to  secure  a  correct 
notation,  be  not  only  attended  to  in  the  general  structure  of  the  air,  but  even  in 
the  minutest  details  of  its  measures." 

Tighe's  setting  is  in  common  time  and  is  more  quick  and  dynamic  than 
Mrs.  Murphy's  ;  in  fact,  it  has  all  the  appearance  of  an  air  that  was  taken  down 
from  an  instrumentalist.  There  is  a  great  deal  more  art  about  the  other.  It  is 
like  the  other  slow  Irish  airs  in  linked  music  with  ornament,  which  Petrie  says  "  Are 
formed,  for  the  most  part,  of  four  strains  of  equal  length.  The  first  soft,  pathetic, 
and  subdued  ;  the  second  ascends  in  the  scale,  and  becomes  bold,  energetic,  and 
impassioned  ;  the  third,  a  repetition  of  the  second,  is  sometimes  a  little  varied 
and  more  florid,  and  leads,  often  by  a  graceful  or  melancholy  passage,  to  the  fourth, 
which  is  always  a  repetition  of  the  first."  The  same  writer  has  beautifully  and 
truly  compared  the  effect  of  the  last  part,  following  the  bold  and  surcharged  strains 
of  the  second  and  third,  to  the  dissolution  in  genial  showers  of  a  summer  cloud. 
"  The  progress  of  the  melody  is  often  reflected  in  the  structure  of  the  song,  which, 
beginning  plaintively  and  tenderly,  mounts  with  the  music  in  vehemence,  and. 
subsides  with  it  in  renewed  tenderness  at  the  conclusion  of  the  stanza,  so  that  in 
very  many  Irish  songs  there  is  an  analogy  between  the  sentiment  and  the  melody." 
— A.  Williams,  in  his  introduction  to  Ferguson's  Translations  from  the  Irish. 

Iv.  D.  &  J.  Q. 

r 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH.EOLOGICAL  JOURNAL 


83 


®wo  IWemovtrtl  ^tanstbc  ffivossce. 


HERE  are  two  wayside  crosses  within  our  district,  the  Taaffe  cross 
about  a  mile  from  the  village  of  Louth  011  the  Dundalk  road,  and  the 
MacMahon  cross  at  Inniskeen.  Up  to  the  present,  information  re- 
garding them  is  very  meagre,  and  the  few  points  given  here  are  con- 
tributed solely  in  the  hope  that  some  reader  wiU  come  to  our  further 
enlightenment. 

The  Taaffe  stone  is  a  St.  George's  Cross,  the  arms  being  each  about  one  foot, 
the  lower  arm  is  let  in  by  a  socket  to  a  rudely  shaped  granite  pediment.  Above 
the  inscription,  though  not  very  discernible  in  the  photograph,  is  what  looks  very 
like  a  double-headed  or  patriachal  cross  incised,  while  beneath  there  appears  the 
outline  of  a  heart.  The  inscription,  which  runs  as  follows,  "  Pray  for  the  soul 
of  Mr.  George  Taaffe,  of  Rathneety,  who  died  22nd  of  March,  1723,"  is  a  word  for 
word  English  rendering  of  a  Eatin  inscribed  slab  which  till  recently  was  on  view 
at  the  Taaffe  vault  in  Eouth  cemetery. 

This  branch  of  the  Taaffe  family  is  extinct,  and  hence  we  may  record  what 
tradition  says  of  it.  The  later  generations  are  remembered  as  notorious  evil-doers. 
In  consequence  of  their  crimes  it  was  prophesied  that  their  seed  should  die  out, 
and  that  of  their  lordly  mansion,  Jerusalem-like,  there  should  not  be  left  a  stone 
upon  a  stone.  The  accomplishment  has  been  very  full  ;  all  that  remains  of  their 
establishment  is  enshrined  in  two  Gaelic  field-names,  "  ^AiAjAAi-Oe  tn6|\  "  and 
"  5^ft^Ai''^e  t)eA5  ;  "  but  then,  the  prophesy  may  have  been  fulminated  after 
the  event.  The  "  raison  d'  etre  "  of  the  cross  is  as  a  corollary  ;  when  all  that  was 
mortal  of  Mr.  George  Taaffe  was  being  borne  to  the  family  vault,  the  horses  attached 
to  the  funeral  car  stopped  at  this  place,  "  and  the  might  of  man  could  not  make 
them  pass  it  ;  "  this  was  attributed  to  diabolical  interference,  and  the  cross  was 
erected  as  a  warning  to  all  faithful  Christians.  The  story,  of  course,  is  nonsense ; 
it  has  as  many  localisations  as  the  exploits  of  Fionn  Mac  Cumail,  but  the  fact  that 
it  was  associated  with  the  TaalTes  of  Rathneety  is  a  proof  of  what  they  were, 
as  measured  by  the  standard  of  popular  regard. 

Inniskeen,  on  the  borders  of  the  MacMahon  country,  holds  forth  many  rare 
attractions  ;  an  old  cemetery  dating  back  farther  than  anyone  can  tell  with  its 
family  \'aults  and  its  round  tower,  the  wayside  cross  of  the  MacMahoiis.  the  ruins 
of  a  stately  abbey,  and,  lastly,  the  great  T)un — the  historic  background  of  them 
all.  Here  the  river  Fane  rolls  deep  and  silent  })etween  winding  wooded  banks; 
the  angler  knows  it  well;  and  just  a  little  further  down  it  roars  and  craslies  where 
bfviAn  Ua  RuAipc  harnesses  it  to  the  wheels  of  modern  industry.  Only  a  fifteen 
minutes  train  journey  from  Dundalk.    Inniskeen  is  a  place  to  ha\e  seen. 


»4 


TWO    MI':M()l<Iy\L    VVAVSIDI':  CKOSSICS. 


'Vhv  MacMalioii  cross  stands  about  live  feet  liiK^,  and,  as  will  be  seen  from  the 
])li()t()j^'rai)h,  is  of  graceful  ])rop()rti()ns.  Us  d()ul)le  ])e(]inient  is  almost  c ()ni])letely 
l)uried  in  roiid  soil,  and  at  the  ])resent  time,  bein^  built  into  a  garden  wall  flush 
with  the  masonr}^  only  its  inscribed  surface  is  visil)le.  At  one  time  it  j^ot  broken 
diagonally  where  the  arms  intersect,  and  some  of  the  letterinjj;  was  lost  ;  however, 
it  is  now  perfectly  secure.  It  was  a  ha])py  thought  to  build  it  into  the  wall.  The 
lettering  now  reads  as  follows  : — 

"This  C-oss  was  Kkec-kd  by  Captain  C-i,i.  MacMahon-s  a  Mkmoriai. 

OF  HlMSELK  AND  HIS   FaMII,Y  AND   DESIRES   YE  PRAYERS  OF  AIJ,  THE  h'AITHFUEL 

Christians.    vSeptr.  the  2D.  Anno  Domini,  1729." 

There  is  no  difficulty  in  supplying  the  missing  letters  :  Coll  is  evidently  a  phonetic 
rendering  of  CacaL,  which  has  since  been  anglicised  to  Charles.  Below  the  in- 
scription there  is  a  carving,  artistic,  but  of  hidden  meaning.  Inside  an  oval  there 
appears  a  pensive-looking  bird  with  a  full  blown  flower  on  either  side  of  her.  Taken 
in  its  present  circumstances  it  may  be  construed  as  referring  to  the  Redeemer  under 
the  symbol  of  the  Pelican  of  the  Desert,  but  if  elsewhere,  an  Egyptologist  would 
safely  exhibit  it  as  the  peaceful  stork  and  lotus  flowers  of  the  Nile.  Certainly, 
it  is  not  the  MacMahon  arms. 

Following  the  cue  given  by  the  Taaffe  cross  I  went  to  the  old  cemetery 
to  seek  further  traces  of  Captain  Cathal,  but  could  find  none,  though  his  name  re- 
appears twice  there.  But  I  was  rewarded  by  abundant  records  of  his  family.  Alto- 
gether there  are  four  MacMahon  inscriptions,  the  most  ancient  being  above  the 
entrance  to  a  long  disused  vault  ;  it  is,  "  This  chapell  was  built  by  Ardell  MacCoLL 
MacMahon  for  himselfe  and  his  famelly  in  the  year  Anno  Domini  1672."  In  front 
of  the  vault,  which,  by  the  way,  is  in  perfect  preservation,  are  three  flat  tombstones, 
one  of  which  commemorates  "  The  Reverend  Bryan  MacMahon,  who  departed  this 
life  May  the  loth  and  in  the  25th  year  of  his  age.  Anno  Domini  1715."  Local  tradition 
says  that  this  priest  was  a  brother  of  the  Captain's,  which  from  the  dates,  is  apparently 
accurate.  Another  stone  records  the  death  of  Mr.  Coll  MacMahon  in  1820,  and 
a  third  gives  almost  a  life  history  of  the  Rev.  Bernard  MacMahon,  who  was  born 
at  Castlering,  educated  at  lyouth  and  Antwerp,  and  died  a  Canon  of  the  Archdiocese 
of  Dublin  in  1816,  being  then  in  his  eightieth  year.  Did  this  important  family 
once  ■  own  Castlering  as  its  headquarters,  have  its  scattered  descendants  done 
themselves  the  honour  of  retaining  the  Celtic  names  of  Ardle,  Bryan  and  Cathal,  are 
questions  which  perhaps  someone  will  answer. 

And  now  gentle  reader,  an'  you  be  worthy  of  that  flattering  nominative  of 
address,  you  will  permit  me  the  luxury  of  an  inference.  When  our  President,  Sir 
Henry  Bellingham,  some  years  ago  erected  a  memorial  cross  by  the  wayside  his  action 
was  variously  regarded.  Some  thought  it  a  daring  innovation,  to  some  it  appeared 
an  importation  from  the  Continent,  to  the  historically  minded  it  appeals  as  a  praise- 
worthy attempt  to  bridge  the  centuries.  It  is  my  belief  that  he  has  fallen  into  line 
with  a  genuinely  Irish  custom.*  and  that  the  re-awakened  genius  of  our  land  is 
beginning  to  reveal  herself  in  another  of  her  peculiar  and  charming  forms  ;  that 
as  she  was  once  known  to  the  Celt  and  to  the  Norman,  she  is  come  back  to  claim 
our  allegiance,  who  in  our  modern  way  are  perhaps  neither  one  nor  the  other. 

SeutriAf  U-A  Ctnnn. 

*  In  Arranmore  groups  of  square-built  pillars,  each  surmounted  by  a  cross,  are  frequently  met 
with  along  the  main  road  which  runs  across  the  island.  Upon  these  are  inscribed  names  of  the  dead 
who  lie  in  the  island  cemetery  some  miles  off. 


County  T.onrii  Ahci\a:()L()G]cal  Journal 


Tig... 


MOUNT  ASH   IN  1748. 


(Fig.  1— View.    Fig.  2— Iclinography.) 

Wright's  Louthiana,  Book  /.,  plate  VI. 


COUNTY  LOUTH    ARCHAEOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


85 


Mount  Ash. 

No  letterpress  description  of  this  Rath  is  given  in  Wright's  Louthiana.  It  is 
situated  on  a  high  hill  ten  minutes'  walk  from  the  road  leading  from  Dundalk 
to  Castlering,  and  is  best  reached  from  that  road  by  leaving  it  at  Carricknuillen 
Dispensary  and  walking  over  two  fields  to  the  right.  The  rath  stands  \-ery  high 
and  is  now  covered  with  trees,  but  can  easily  be  found,  as  it  forms  a  conspicuous 
object  in  the  landscape.  The  view  from  the  high  hill  on  which  Mount  Ash  stands 
is  the  finest  in  our  county,  embracing  as  it  does  the  whole  plain  of  Muirthemhne, 
the  mountains  which  run  out  into  the  Cooley  peninsula  and  the  hills  of  Armagh 
and  Cavan.  The  rath,  when  sketched  by  Wright,  was  bare  of  trees  and  quite 
perfect  in  shape,  as  the  illustration  shows.  Now  it  is  thickly  planted  and  quite 
overgrown  with  brushwood  and  briars,  which  renders  it  rather  difficult  to  accurately 
observe  or  describe  it.  It  seems  to  me  that  at  some  period  subsequent  to  Wright's 
survey  a  considerable  part  of  the  top  of  the  rath  towards  the  eastern  side  had  been 
removed,  as  the  western  side  is  much  higher,  and  towards  the  east  the  surface  is 
somewhat  broken  both  on  the  top  and  side.  A  depression  also  exists  in  the  top 
surface  towards  the  centre,  as  if  an  attempt  to  dig  it  out  had  been  made,  but 
abandoned  at  a  few  feet  in  depth.  As  I  have  said,  the  wes>side  is  in  a  much  better 
state  of  preservation,  seems  about  30  feet  high  on  this  side  and  the  encircling  fosse 
or  moat  is  also  much  deeper  here,  while  the  outer  ditch  is  higher  than  towards  the 
east.,  The  small  outer  ditch  of  half  moon  shape,  shown  on  Wright's  plan,  is  not 
now  to  be  seen  ;  it  was  probably  levelled  long  ago  in  process  of  tilling  the  field, 
r  was  told  that  another  rath  was  situated  at  I^ittle  Ash,  quite  a  short  way  from 
Mount  Ash,  but  the  late  hour  prevented  my  visiting  it.  I  find  a  theory  amongst 
the  country  people  that  a  chain  of  these  raths  stretches  along  this  part  of  the  county 
at  exact  intervals  of      miles  apart.    Can  there  be  any  foundation  for  this  idea  ? 

There  are  three  plausible  suggestions  as  to  the  name  : 

{a)  The  townland  in  which  both  the  duns  are  situated  is  very  plentifully 
wooded  with  ash  groves.  Hence  the  name  ;  but  this  would  make  the  present  name 
of  purely  English  origin,  and  very  modern  at  that. 

(6)  XWoJZA  Aire="  the  moat  of  the  hill."  One  would  think  that  this  is  the 
true  explanation  of  the  name,  for  mote  ash  (Big)  and  mote  ash  (Little)  are  the 
modern  names. 

(c)  The  third  is  more  fanciful,  yet  rests  on  the  authority  of  a  native  Irish  speaker, 
who  was  born  in  the  district.  Mote  Ash,  she  said,  meant  "  niocA  Af  Aip,"  and 
the  proper  EngHsh  equivalent  was  "  Mountjoy."  Asked  why  was  it  so  called, 
she  said  that  TTIoca  AtAif  was  the  principal  of  nine  great  forts,  all  of  which 
lay  around,  and  that,  because  of  this  prospect  pleasing  alike  to  the  chieftain's  heart 
and  Eire,  he  called  his  dun  TTIqca  AtAif. 

Its  Souterrain. — There  is  a  souterrain  in  Mount  Ash,  which  runs  due  west  and 
east.  The  entrance  was  discovered  only  a  few  years  ago,  but  the  passage  was  found 
to  have  fallen  in.  Doubtless  this  partly  accounts  for  the  subsidence  noted  on  top 
of  the  mound  ;  but  there  were  also  excavations  made  there  which  were  rewarded 
by  the  finding  of  a  golden  spur. 

Its  present  condition. — The  removal  of  the  embankments  noted  above  was  done 
at  the  order  of  the  then  proprietor,  a  Mr.  P.  Kieran,  some  fifty  years  ago.  Mis- 
fortunes followed  thick  and  fast,  if  we  are  to  credit  local  stories. 

.M.  W. 

M 


86 


LOUTfiiANA :   anc:ti<:nt  and  modern. 


Rathdkumin  ok  Rathdrummond. 

When  Mr.  Wright  made  his  sketch  (vid.  plate)  of  this  fort,  apparently  he  was 
nnal)le  to  associate  it  with  a  legend,  much  less  a  history.  He  dismisses  it  with  the 
very  brief  notice  "  A  Danish  I'ort  between  Dunleer  and  the  sea."  The  lapse  of 
l6o  years  has  not  brought  to  light  much  further  information  regarding  its  earlier 
period  nor  added  anything  to  its  history  since.  This  much  only  I  was  able  to  glean, 
that  there  was  a  cave  in  it  which  was  used  as  a  cache  by  a  successful  band  of  Clogher- 
head  smugglers  ;  as  this  was  about  three  centuries  back,  I  suppose  there  is  no  harm 
in  "  giving  away  "  the  secret.  My  informant  was  of  opinion  that  the  cave  was 
made  by  the  smugglers  themselves,  and  was  not  a  souterrain.  It  was  located  in 
the  second  embankment,  and  so  must  have  run  underneath  it  like  a  cave  ;  the 
entrance  was  from  the  top,  and  was  somewhere  on  the  south  side  (vid.  plate).  The 
rath,  or  mote,  as  it  is  variously  called,  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  eastern  spur 
of  a  long  low-ridge  which  runs  east  and  west  and  comprises  the  present  townlands 
of  Rathdrummond  and  Ardbolies  in  the  parish  of  Walshestown.  Rathdrummond 
means  the  "  rath  of  the  ndge=KAt  T)|\umAin — hence  the  origin  of  the  name  is 
pretty  evident.  lyocally  the  townland  is  known  simply  as  Rath,  and  the  fort  is 
referred  to  as  "  the  mote  o'  rath  :  "  perhaps  one  could  infer  from  this  reduplicate 
form  that  the  word  mote — mocA — is  of  a  comparatively  modern  age. 

Why  Wright  calls  it  a  Danish  Fort  I  cannot  think.  There  was  a  time,  of  course, 
when  all  such  structures  were  believed  to  be  of  Danish  origin  notwithstanding  their 
obtrusively  Celtic  names  of  rath,  dun,  and  lios  ;  this  was  the  time  when  speculation 
was  unchecked  by  even  a  rudimentary  knowledge  of  the  Irish  language,  and  when 
gentlemen  in  the  name  of  archaeology  laboured  in  favour  of  absurd  theories,  and 
overlooked  the  obvious.  Petrie  had  to  set  aside  many  fantastic  notions  regarding 
our  round  towers  ;  Westropp,  equally  an  authority,  says  of  our  forts,  "  We  may 
"  well  ask  whether  the  Norsemen  on  principle  adapted  a  style  of  fortification  abun- 
"  dant  in  lands  where  the  eagle  of  Odin  never  preyed,  and  whether  the  invaders 
"  fortified  districts  in  which  they  never  settled,  or,  so  far  as  our  annals  go,  never 
"  overran,  while  they  erected  no  such  works  in  their  own  country  or  in  Iceland."* 
Perhaps  then,  Wright  called  this  a  Danish  fort  in  deference  to  the  prevailing  idea, 
or  it  may  be,  he  merely  sought  an  exception  to  prove  the  rule. 

It  Would  be  difficult  and  perhaps  unprofitable  to  give  a  minute  description 
of  this  fort  as  it  is  at  present.  The  middle  embankment  though  much  beaten  down 
and  at  one  place  levelled  to  make  a  cartway  to  the  enclosure,  is  still  in  existence ; 
the  outer  one  is  partly  removed,  but  where  this  is  so  it  has  been  replaced  by  a  hedge  ; 
the  inner  one  which  formed  a  border  or  breastwork  to  the  enclosure  is  also  yet  to 
be  seen  though  much  worn  away.  Between  the  middle  and  outer  rampart  where 
the  latter  yet  remains  untouched  there  is  a  deep  fosse  ;  its  sides  are  precipitous 
and  contain  a  volume  of  water  about  six  yards  wide  (now)  from  two  to  three  feet 
deep  ;  the  floor  of  the  inner  trench  was  on  a  higher  level  by  about  six  feet.  The 
flat  space  of  the  enclosure  is  on  a  level  with  the  ridge  outside.  It  is  worthy  of  note 
that  on  its  eastern  side  the  inner  embankment  developes  a  great  thickness  and  con- 
siderable height,  shewing  apparently  the  remains  of  a  mound  not  unlike  what 
appears  on  the  western  side  of  Greenmount,  near  Kilsaran,  and  on  the  south-western 
side  of  Mount  Bagnal  in  Cooley.  Including  embankments,  fosses  and  the  enclosure, 
this  rath  occupies  almost  an  acre  ;  formerly  it  must  have  been  a  place  of  extra- 
ordinary strength  and  importance;  to-day  it  is  a  most  interesting  relic,  of  which 
its  owner,  Miss  lycvins,  is  very  justly  proud. 

S.  tlA  C. 


*  Ancient  Forts  of  Ireland,  p.  636. 


CoUxNTY  Louth  Arch.iiological  Journal 


A   DANISH    FORT   NOT   FAR    FROM    DUNLEER"   IN  1748. 

(PLAN  AND  SECTION' 

Wri<:hCs  Loiilhiana,  Book  /.,  \  II. 


COUNTY  LOCITH   ARCHAEOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


10  1308, 


KAl})brUTT)iT)-  ^  {prh^^irrr)j^o  18) 


o        So        .00       'SO       300  av< 

Lr>es  OL*^  tftick  at         Lop  of"  <ji^ 
slope  Ar)i.  becoTT)c  doinner  ^S  C^e 


(^Orb  5ur,rr)ap  6  ) 


6urnr)ap4) 


The  above  present-day  plans  were  made  with  the  assistance-  of  tracings 
from  the  new  25-inch  unpubHshed  O.S.  Maps,  kindly  supplied  by  Capt.  WoUTe. 
They  should  be  compared  with  Wright's  plans  of  1748  reproduced  in  facsimile. 

H.G.T. 


88 


louthiana:  anciicnt  and  mojmcrn. 


Raskicaoh. 

This  line  fori  is  in  the  centre  of  a  field  close  to  the  road  on  the  right  hand 
side  going  from  Dundalk  to  Carrickbroad,  and  is  on  the  top  of  the  rise  immediately 
behind  the  house  well-known  as  "  Peter  O'Hagan's  "  and  in  townland  of 
Raskeagh.    It  is  almost  a  ])erfect  circle  300  feet  in  diameter. 

Wright,  in  Louthiana,  1748,  says  : — 

"  RCXSSKUGH,  OR  THE  FORT  OF  CaRICK-BrAUD. 

"  This  evidently  appears  to  have  been  a  very  considerable  Danish  vStation, 
having  formerly  been  surrounded  with  a  double  Ditch  and  a  triple  Vallum,  one  of 
which  seems  to  have  been  of  Stone,  the  rest  of  Earth.  The  Trenches  are  very  deep 
and  broad,  and  within  the  internal  Area,  still  remains  the  ruinous  P'^oundations, 
and  part  of  the  Walls  of  two  Stone-buildings,  the  Area  mark'd  A,  Plate  IV.  probaVjly 
may  have  been  the  principal  Dwelling  ;  the  other  B,  which  is  more  elevated  upon 
an  eleptical  Mount,  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  Watch-tower,  or  Keep  ;  which  being 
render'd  more  difficult  of  Access,  may  probably  have  been  design'd  upon  proper 
occasions  to  retire  to,  for  greater  Security  in  time  of  Danger. 

"Without  this  Fort  are  the  visible  Marks  of  other  Camps,  two  in  particular 
adjoining  to  it  of  no  small  capacity,  able  to  contain  at  least  1,000  men  each  ;  and 
in  one  of  them,  rather  the  least  of  the  two,  is  still  to  be  seen  the  Ruins  of  an  old 
Chaple  cover' d  with  ivy  :  But  whether  this  Building  or  the  adjacent  Camps,  were 
originally  design'd  for  the  Use  and  Guard  of  the  main  Fort,  can't  easily  be  deter- 
mined, though  'tis  evident  from  the  Situation  of  the  Place,  which  is  close  to  the 
Foot  of  the  Mountains,  and  near  a  small  pleasant  River,  full  in  view  of  the  sea, 
it  must  have  been  a  place  of  some  Consequence,  and  of  particular  Note  in  the  flou- 
rishing Days  of  that  Province." 

He  gives  a  plan  and  sketch  which  are  reproduced  here  and  may  be  compared 
with  the  modern  plan  and  sketch,  made  with  the  assistance  of  tracings  of  the  un- 
published 25  inch  survey  kindly  supplied  by  Capt.  Wolff e  of  the  Ordnance  Survey, 
during  the  year  1908. 

In  commenting  on  Wright's  description,  I  shall  not  touch  on  the  word  "  Danish." 
The  origin  of  these  forts  is  ably  dealt  with  in  this  journal  by  two  other  pens,  one  of 
them  an  expert  on  the  subject.  Readers  should  also  refer  to  the  current  number 
of  the  R. S.A.I.  Journal  for  a  special  reference  to  this  fort  by  Mr.  Orpen.  Wright 
says  one  vallum  or  ridge  seems  to  have  been  of  stone.  I  could  not  satisfy  myself 
of  this,  but  stone  blocks  or  boulders  are  certainly  in  the  banks  of  the  middle  vallum 
and  in  the  fosse  between  it  and  the  lune  or  half- moon  mount. 

I  could  find  a  doubtful  trace  of  two  of  the  octagonal  walls  or  tower-base  marked 
by  him  at  A.  Had  I  never  heard  of  the  building  I  should  have  taken  them  for  the 
edges  of  the  depression  caused  by  the  undoubted  quarrying  or  removal  of  the  higher 
mound.  From  Wright's  sketch  view  it  can  be  gathered  that  there  were  even  in 
his  time  no  more  than  foundatiqns.  I  could  see  no  trace  whatever  of  building  B, 
the  walls  of  which  Wright  shows  so  clearly  in  his  sketch,  which  by  the  by  is  made 
from  the  north,  while  the  modern  one  is  drawn  from  the  opposite  point.  I  did 
find  one  narrow  mound  which  might  have  been  part  of  the  walls,  but  at  the  ex- 
posed end  it  seemed  composed  of  gravel  and  earth  with  a  few  smallish  stones.  At 
each  end  of  it  were  rectangular  holes  in  the  surface  of  the  ground  about  5  feet 
by  4  feet  by  i  foot  deep.  At  B  on  the  modern  sketch  were  what  looked  much 
more  like  foundation  remains,  no  signs  of  which  are  shown  by  Wright.  A  stick 
pushed  into  the  ground  was  stopped  by  stone  or  rock  at  a  fairly  uniform  depth 
of  six  or  seven  inches.    The  western-most  horn  of  the  lune  was  much  higher  than 


County  Louth  Arch.^:ologtcal  Journal. 


ICHNOGRAPHY  OF  ROSSKEAGH   IN  1748. 

Wrighfs  Louthiana,  Book  /.,  plaie  IV. 


COUNTY  LOUTH   ARCHAEOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


89 


the  rest  and  nearly  as  high  as  smaller  mount  and  the  only  remains  of  the  raised  e(l}2;e 
or  rampart  to  the  half-moon  may  be  seen  on  the  north-easterly  part  in  the  modern 
plan. 

I  could  neither  see  nor  hear  of  any  camps  or  enclosures  outside  the  fort  in  this 
neighbourhood,  nor  of  the  ivy-covered  chapel,  but  my  enquiries  were  not  exhaustive 
on  the  subject.  The  position  is  certainly  a  commanding  one,  and  in  full  view  of 
Faughart  and  Castletown. 

There  has  been  considerable  damage  done  in  carting  away  the  earth  for  the 
land  around,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  hollows,  old  cart  ways  and  gaps  in  the  outer 
ramparts,  which  latter  hardly  bears  out  Wright's  theory  of  the  stone  vallum.  It 
is  possible  that  the  half-moon  was  all  as  high  as  the  western  horn  and  that  it  was 
carted  away  down  the  slope  on  the  east,  foundations  and  all,  till  the  "  improving  " 
destroyers  came  to  what  ma^^  be  bed-rock  at  B  and  elsewhere.  The  eliptical 
mount  is  now  roughly  triangular  from  similar  depredations  and  was  much  higher, 
if  the  above  theory  be  adopted. 

The  name  of  the  fort  is  locally  spoken  as  a  trisyllable — Ros-ke-agh  with  the 
accent  on  the  centre,  and  possibly  signifies  "  The  Wood  of  the  Thorn  Tree." 
Wright's  "  Rosskugh  "  looks  as  awkward  as,  no  doubt,  the  sound  seemed  to  his 
locally  untutored  ear, 

H.  G.  T. 


Place  Names  in  County  Louth. — In  reply  to  Mr.  G.  J.  H.  Evatt's  query  in  last  year's  issue 
regarding  the  locality  of  a  townland  named  Evettstown,  it  may  interest  him  to  know  that  the  name 
is  to  be  found  in  the  Inquisition  2nd  August,  13  James  I.  as  printed  in  Archdall's  Monasticon  Hihcruicum, 
pp.  478  and  812.  In  the  record  of  that  inquisition,  the  tithes  which  were  apjiropriated  to  the  Abl)ey 
of  Louth  are  enumerated,  and  it  will  be  observed  that  the  different  townlands  are  grouped  imder  the 
headings  of  the  parish  to  which  they  belonged.  The  name  Evettstown  occurs  in  the  group  imder  the 
heading  the  Parish  of  Louth.  Thus:  "  In  the  parish  of  Louth  Drimbaghill,  and  the  Mary  (iullona 
of  the  parish  of  Louth,  16s.  ;  Lourath  and  Lromgollan,  Is.  ;  Feraghes  and  Dromgawny,  2s.  ;  Tullaghes, 
4s.  ;  The  Tombes,  2s.  ;  Channonrock,  2s.  ;  Horeston  and  Rathory,  3s.  lOd.  ;  Rathbrist,  Ms.  ;  Cordirry, 
6s.  ;  Rathcassan  and  MuUaghosker,  is.  ;  Evetteston,  4s.  ;  Stephenston  Rathed,  Lisrowlan  and  Rath- 
roly,  12s.;  Kilknony,  10s.;  Balloran,  2s.  lOd.  ;  Gibbeston  palmer,  os.  ;  ("arnanbrege,  Ballentor, 
Babesland,  Uragh  ,and  Knocknegor,  waste ;  Tanakersland  and  Cam  maker,  3.s.  ;  Moreton,  4s.  ; 
Moyvalloutty,  waste  ;  The  Quarter,  Is.  lOd.  ;  I.^ggeverely,  alias  Mullaghoneboys,  waste  ;  Shankill, 
10s.;  Carrossube,  3s.;  Carricklea,  Is.  lOd.  ;  Carricklosty  and  .Monavadder,  waste;  Caranro.sse, 
Carrickvoolan  and  Aighe,  33.  ;  &c.  " 

It  will  be  remembered  that  until  recent  times  the  present  parish  of  Kno(  kl)ridgc  was  united  with 
and  formed  part  of  the  parish  of  Louth.  "  Evetteston  "  seems  therefore  to  have  been  the  name  of  a 
townland  in  either  of  these  parishes.  However,  as  it  is  bracketted  amongst  names  that  are  certainly 
still  to  be  found  in  Knockbridge  parish  it  is  more  than  probable  that  "  Eyettestown  "  was  situate*! 
in  that  parish.    It  would  appear  therefore  a  mistakf;  to  identify  it  with  Enotstnum. 

T.  (i()(}AKTY. 


Ballinlough.— Major-General  Stubbs  on  j)age  33  refers  to  above  place,  and  a^sks  where  the  lake 
is  now  ?    It  is  situate  in  Millpark  Farm,  and  though  partially  drained  is  still  there  (IIM)K). 


go 


ADDKKSS   TO   Till':    KOYAL   SOCIl'/l'Y   OI'  ANTIOIJARIES. 


ADDRESS 


FROM  THE 

Dundalk  Urban   District  Council 

Zo  i^t  (Ro^af  ^ockt^  of  ($ntxc\mxm  of 

On  the  occasion  of  their  visit  to  Dundalk,  July  7-10,  1908. 

My  Lord, 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen, 

N  behalf  of  the  Residents  of  Dundalk  and  County  of  Louth, 
we  gladly  welcome  you,  the  Members  of  the  Royal  Society 
of  Antiquaries,  on  this  your  first  visii  to  our  district. 

While  fully  appreciating  the  honour  of  your  visit,  we 
hope  that  during  your  stay  amongst  us  you  may  find  much 
to  interest  you  in  the  exploration  and  investigation  of  the 
many  antiquities  our  County  possesses. 

Of  the  interest  your  Society  takes  in  the  preservation  and  research  into  the 
history  of  the  ancient  monuments — Christian  and  pre-Christian — of  Ireland,  we  are 
well  aware  ;  and  while  extending  to  you  a  hearty  welcome,  we  wish  your  patriotic 
Society  many  years  of  usefulness  and  extended  prosperity  in  its  all-important  work. 
Dated  this  "jth  day  of  July,  1908. 
Signed, 

James  M'Court,  J. P.,  Chairman. 
Thomas  F.  M'Gahon,  Vice-Chairman. 


Bernakd  Hamill,  J. p. 
Stephen  H.  Moynagh. 
Joseph  Hamill. 
Bernard  Finnegan. 
John  O'Connell. 
Charles  J.  M'Gahon. 
John  Norton, 
Peter  Hughes. 


Countersigned, 
Mathew  Comerford, 

Town  Clerk. 


J.  M.  Johnson. 
Thomas  Connick. 

J.    P.  M'GlNITY. 

Bernard  M'Guinness. 
Michael  M'Coy. 
Edward  Goodman. 
Michael  F.  O'Neill. 
James  Gosling. 


COUNTY  LOUTH   ARCH^OLOCxICAL  JOURNAL. 


91 


ADDRESS 

OF 

The  County  Louth  Archaeological  Society 

TO 

The  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Ireland 

On  the  occasion  of  their  visit  to  Tiundalk,  July  7th,  J  908. 


AY  it  please  your  Lordship,  on  this  the  first  occasion  of 
your  Society  meeting  in  Leinster  (outside  of  DubHn,  its 
home,  and  Kilkenny  its  birthplace),  we  cordially  welcome 
it  to  the  County  Louth,  and  Dundalk,  its  capital. 

It  has  been  the  fate  of  our  small  County  in  the  past 
to  be  the  battlefield  of  opposing  monarchs, — Irish  as 
well  as  English.  You  have  to-day  come  from  the  historic 
site  of  the  Boyne,  where  in  this  very  month  one  of  the 
decisive  battles  of  Europe  was  fought  by  kings,  who  both 
crossed  the  sea  to  make  this  their  fighting  ground.  To- 
morrow you  are  to  visit  Ardee,  whose  name  embodies  the  fame  of  the  most  memor- 
able combat  in  Irish  history,  when  it  was  emerging  from  the  age  of  myths  and  legends. 
There  the  representatives  of  Irish  provinces  met  in  deadly  combat.  Here,  to-night, 
Ulster  joins  hands  with  Leinster,  and  under  the  auspices  of  your  vSociety  unites  in 
friendly  rivalry  in  peaceful  projects. 

We  recognise  with  peculiar  pride  that  your  Society,  now  the  largest  of  its  kind 
in  the  United  Kingdom,  had  its  beginning  in  Kilkenny,  a  provincial  city,  wliich, 
though  still  enjoying  the  dignity  of  a  bishop  and  ParHamentary  re])resentative, 
can  scarcely  claim  a  greater  share  of  prosperity  than  our  own  County's  capital,  and 
no  greater  historical  importance  than  Drogheda,  which,  once  a  County  in  itself, 
is  now  included  within  our  County,  for  centuries  known  as  "  Comitatus  Lovidia*.' 

We  have  lately  had  amongst  us  one  of  your  members,  the  Mayor  of  that  sister 
city,  Kilkenny.  He  was  welcomed,  both  as  an  exponent  of  the  ancient  language 
and  the  modern  industries  of  Ireland,  and  as  associating  our  old  nobility  with  nnxk-rn 
municipal  energy. 

We  have  noticed  the  efforts  which,  partly  ])rompted  by  your  late  President, 
Mr.  Garstin  (who  is  also  one  of  us),  your  vSociety  is  making  to  ol)tain  from  Government 


92 


AI)I)K1':SS   TO   Tl\K    ROYM.   SOCIICTY    ()!•    AN  Tl  ( )  U  A  1<  I ES. 


that  continuance  and  support  which  has  been  afforded  by  them  to  many  similar 
but  smaller  societies  in  Jyondon  and  Ivlinburgh.  We  observed  that  not  only  had 
your  vSociety  been  honoured  by  signal  marks  of  royal  favour,  but  that  the  lyord 
lyieutenant  has  "  in  the  strongest  manner  possible  "  supported  its  modest  claim 
to  be  supplied  by  the  State  with  suitable  head-quarters,  where,  in  a  manner  racy 
of  the  soil,  they  would  have  no  rent  to  pay.  We  still  hope  that  the  Government 
may  over- rule  the  Treasury,  and  let  right  be  done. 

We  regret  that  your  President,  Dr.  Joyce,  whose  name  and  work  are  known 
to  Irish  scholars  throughout  the  civilised  world,  does  not  feel  equal  to  the  strenuous 
work  which  your  week  of  meetings  and  excursions  would  entail,  but  we  welcome 
with  pleasure  his  deputy.  Dr.  Donnelly,  Assistant  Bishop  of  Dublin.  Though 
coming  from  the  province  and  metropolis  of  I^einster  to  this  region  which  still  bears 
allegiance  to  Armagh,  we  receive  him  gladly  and  feel  convinced  that  no  distraction, 
civil  or  ecclesiastical,  will  mar  his  enjoyment  of  our  more  Northern  atmosphere. 

Our  County  prides  itself  on  being,  though  the  smallest,  not  the  least  in  Ireland, 
and  it  is  especially  rich  in  ancient  remains,  such  as  delight  the  antiquarian  heart. 
Our  Archaeological  Society,  though  young,  is  in  a  state  of  healthy  vigour,  as  its 
publications  testify,  and  it  rejoices  to  greet  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  which 
it  looks  up  to  with  feelings  of  filial  regard. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  the  Society, 

Henry  Bei^lingham,  Baronet,  President: 
Dundalk,  July,  1908.  J.  Quinn,  C.C.  Secretary. 


($m(  of 

Z^t  (Jlojaf  ^odd^  of  (^nti<\Mvm  of  Jtrefanb 

COMPILED  BY  THOMAS  MURPHY,  M.L.A.S. 

"  High  towers,  fair  temples,  goodly  theatres, 
Strong  walls,  rich  porches,  princely  palaces, 
Large  streets,  brave  houses,  sacred  sepulchres. 
Sure  gates,  sweet  gardens,  stately  galleries, 
Wrought  with  fair  pillars,  and  fine  imageries  : 
All  these  (O  pity  !)  are  now  turned  to  dust, 

And  overgrown  with  black  oblivion's  rust." — Spenser'' s  Ruins  of  Time. 

The  Book  of  Rights,  attributed  to  St.  Benignus  and  translated  by  0' Donovan  from  the  Books 
of  Lecan  and  Ballymote,  is  a  metrical  structure  of  twenty-one  poems  which  mainly  describe  the  tributes 
paid  by  chiefs  and  petty  chiefs  to  the  Ard-righ  of  Ireland.  The  precedent  is  surely  an  ancient  one, 
so  ancient  that  it  smacks  of  the  epoch  of  the  Brehon  Laws.  It  should  be  a  good  one  to  follow,  inasmuch 
as  it  came  down  the  centuries.  I  therefore  mean  to  model  a  tribute  after  it,  to  be  tendered  the  Royal 
Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Ireland,  on  behalf  of  the  Louth  Archaeological  Society. 

One  of  the  chief,  if  not  the  chief,  event  in  the  short  but  useful  history  of  the  Louth  Archaeological 
Society  was  the  visit  of  the  Parent  Body  of  Antiquaries  to  Dundalk.  It  gave  a  great  fihp  to  Archaeology 
here.  It,  so  to  speak,  reflected  instructive  rays  on  the  minds  of  those  outside  and  on  those  within 
our  ranks.  The  peregrinations  of  the  Society,  which  extended  along  the  coast  line  of  Louth,  disclosed 
its  aims  and  objects  ;  and  diffused  the  knowledge  that  it  is  a  noble  work  to  conserve  our  monuments 
of  antiquity.  If  such  a  lesson  had  been  inculcated  years  ago  our  country  would  not  have  been  denuded 
of  many  of  its  most  treasured  landmarks.    On  the  contrary  it  would  now  present  a  different  aspect. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH -EOLOG ICA 1.  JolKNAI. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH.T:0L0GTCAL  JOURNAL. 


93 


It  is  notorious  that  were  it  not  for  the  oflForts  of  O'Clcry  and  his  brother  monks  in  the  eoinpilation 
of  the  "  Annals  of  the  Four  Masters  "  there  woujd  be  no  authentic  data  to  go  to  support  Irish  Historieal 
events.  The  self-evident  corollary  therefore  asserts  itself  that  it  was  of  paramount  utility  to  preserve 
our  buildings  of  antiquity,  because  the  best  supplement  to  the  story  of  our  motherlanil  is  foiui<l  in 
the  History  of  Ireland  as  told  in  her  ruins. 

The  high  duty  of  conservation  of  these  noble  ruins  is  pre-eminently  a  national  work,  an-l  one  of 
the  chief  attributes  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Ireland.  They  came  here  to  perpetuate 
that  work  ;  their  mission  was  a  success  ;  and  left  an  indelible  impression  on  the  minds  of  many  who 
now  manitest  an  interest  in  the  ancient  land  and  other  marks  of  our  country  which  tell  of  its  history 
and  of  its  people. 

The  Louth  Archaeological  Society  displayed  great  tact  in  inviting  the  Royal  Society  to  visit 
Dundalk.    It  was  an  unique  invitation  :  — 

"That  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Ireland  be  cordially  invited,  when  fixing  the 

place  of  their  Annual  Excursion  for  the  Summer  of  1908,  to  come  to  Dundalk.  and,  if  possiljje. 

to  make  this  town  their  head- quarters." 
The  Royal  Society  gracefully  replied  :  — 

"  That,  having  considered  the  courteous  invitation  of  the  County  Louth  Archaeological  Societv. 

this  Council  recommend  that  the  Summer  Meeting  for  1908,  be  held  in  Dundalk." 
In  due  course  the  Royal  Society  held  its  60th  Ses.sion  in  the  Town  Hall,  Dundalk,  on  Tuesday 
evening,  July  7th,  1908  (by  kind  permission  of  the  Urban  Council),  at  the  close  of  the  first  day'.s 
excursion.  It  was  presided  over  by  the  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Donnelly,  Assistant  Bishop  of  Dublin,  Vice- 
President.  He  was  supported  by  Sir  Henry  Bellingham,  Bart.,  the  President  of  the  Louth  Archaeological 
Society,  and  Mr.  James  M'Court,  J. P.,  Chairman  of  the  Urban  Council.  Both  Bodies  presented 
addresses  of  welcome  to  his  Lordship  and  to  the  Society.  These  are  published  in  full  in  the 
current  issue  of  the  Journal  of  the  Royal  Society,  as  well  as  the  following  jmpers  which  were 
read  at  the  meeting  :  — 

1.  — "  Cistercian  Monasteries,"  by  St.  Clair  Baddeley. 

2.  — "  Some  Motes  of  County  Louth,"  by  G.  H.  Orpen. 

3.  — "  Uisneach  as  a  Royal  Rsidence  ;  "   "  Fore  Abbey,  Co.  Westmeath,"  by  F.  J.  Bigger. 

4.  — "  Notes  on  some  of  the  Old  Dundalk  Charters,"  by  S.  H.  Moynagh. 
After  which  the  meeting  adjourned  till  the  following  day. 


THE  FOLLOWING  iS  A  BRIEF  ITINERARY  OF  THE  EXCURSIONS. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  7th. 

10.0  a.m.,  .  .  Assembled  at  Drogheda  Railway  Station  ;   walked  round  the  town  visiting  Millmount, 
St.  Mary's,  The  Magdalene  Tower,  St.  Peter's,  St.  Lawrence  Gate,  The  City  Hall,  &c. 
12-30  p.m.,  .  .  .  Lunched  at  the  White  Horse  Hotel. 

1.30  p.m.,  .  .  .  Drove  in  brakes  to  Termonfeckin,  &c.,  visiting  the  Ancient  High  Cross,  Stones  with 
Irish  and  Latin  Inscriptions,  Torfeckin  Castle,  Sites  of  Oliver  Phuiket's  and  Arch- 
bishop Ussher's  Dwellings,  Beaulieu  ;  afternoon  tea  at  Beaulieu,  by  invitation 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jameson.  Mr.  Pentland  read  a  most  interesting  paper  upon  the 
High  Cross,  written  by  Rev.  Fr.  Gogarty,  who  was  unable  to  be  present  ;  thence 
drive  to  Drogheda. 

5.58  p.m.,  .  .  .  Train  from  Drogheda,  arriving  at  Dundalk  at  (i.40  p.m. 

8.30  p.m.,  .  .  .  Evening  Meeting  in  Dundalk  Town  Hall.  The  buisness  of  the  .Meeting  was  proci-tvlrd 
with — election  of  Members,  and  the  reading  and  discussion  of  papers. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  8th. 
9.30  a.m.,  .  .  .  Assembled  at  Town  Hall  ;  visited  places  of  interest— Dundalk  Demesne  ;  St.  Nm-IioIhs 
Church,  with  its  ancient  tower  and  wooden  spire  (cop|H»r  sheatluMl).  Ancient  Tomb- 
stones,  153(),  &c.  ;  St.  Leonard's  and  (iraveyard  ;  the  Grey  Friary  Tower  (Fran- 
ciscan) ;  the  Rami)art  River.  Rain  (;am(.  down  heavily  throughout  tlu*  day  and 
rendered  things  unj)lea.sant.  Notwithstanding  the  inclemency  of  th»<  weather 
we  reached  Mr.  Redmond  Magrath's  where  his  private  collection  of  anticpiities 
was  on  view.  It  is  a  most  varied  one.  It  creattMl  much  interewt,  was  admired, 
and  proved  a  source  of  attraction  to  the  visitors  during  their  stay.  His  colle(  ti(»n 
has  already  been  described  in  Part  I.  of  this  Journal. 

N 


94 


VISIT  OF  TII1<:   SOCIICTY  Ol-    ANTIOUARIKS  TO  CO.  LOUTH. 


12.5  i).m.,  .  .  Left  Diindalk  Slatioii  ((J.N.f^,.)  for  Ardco  ;  viHiUnl  Si.  Mary's  (.'hurcheH,  the  (Jastlca 
(two),  Sc(Mio  of  th(^  Fight  of  th(^  Ford,  (!aH(l(^  (^liiard. 

1 ..'{()  p.m.,  .  .  .  iiiincht^d  ill  two  partic^s  at  liropliy'H  and  (.'arr)pb(!ll'H  MoUiIh.  Mr.  .1.  T.  Dolan,  M.A., 
wlio  was  iIld(^fati^^al)l(^  all  throufj;!!  had  a  most  inton^stinj^  (sxhihition  in  tho  Castlo, 
of  many  ancient  (!hart(irH  of  Atli(n-(l(io,  coins,  medals,  pik(;s,  j^iins,  archery,  &c. 

2.'M)  p.m  Slarti'd  from  the  ('asllc^;  drove  through  the  I)(^m(^snes  of  Lisrcinny  and  liOiith  Hall, 

(by  permission  of  ('a})t.  Filgat<^  and  Lord  Louth)  to  Louth  Ah})ey,  St.  Mochta's 
H()US(>,  (lu>  Fairy  Mount;  th(^nc(^  by  Ard  J*atrick,  I)arv(ir  ('astle,  anrl  Mansfic^lds- 
town  to  Braganstown,  when^  Mr.  and  Mrs.  (iarstin  ndvo,  a  most  hospitable  afternoon 
tea  to  the  party;  droves  from  Braganstown  to  ( lastlelxillingham  Station  (1|  mile) 
to  Dundalk.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  W.  Horan,  at  Louth,  kindly  (U)nducted  the  visitors. 

THURSDAY  FORENOON.— JULY  9th. 

9.30  a.m.,  .  .  .  Assembled  at  Town  Hall  ;  drove  to  Dundalgan  (Cuchulainn's  Mount)  Castletown 
Castle  and  Graveyard,  passing  Bellew's  Bridge,  Killin  (CVioc  Chein  Mhic  Cainte), 
the  Stump  ("  One  Night's  Work  "),  Castle  Roche  (the  Frontier  Castle  of  the  Pale). 

The  visitors  were  much  impressed  with  Castletown  Mount,  otherwise  Dundalgan  ; 
excavations  were  being  carried  out  by  Major  Berry,  Messrs.  H.  D.  M.Barton,  Mr. 
H.  Milling,  C.E.,  and  F.  J.  Bigger  of  Belfast.  They  came  across  a  souterran,  and 
have  been  further  excavating,  but  the  results  are  problematical.  I  drew  attention 
to  a  very  historic  stone.  Lady  Gregory,  in  her  book  on  Cuchulainn,  refers  to  the 
"  Brooch  Stone  "  as  his  burial  place.  It  is  also  in  the  "  Tain  "  in  the  Royal  Irish 
Academy.  The  stone  referred  to  is  very  prominent  in  the  field  adjoining  "  The 
Mount,"  and  is  supposed  to  be  the  famous  "  Brooch  Stone." 

Castletown  Castle,  built  in  the  year  1472  by  Richard  Belle w,  or  Bedlowe,  was 
one  of  the  frontier  castles  of  the  Pale.  It  was  built,  D' Alton  says  :  "  to  defend  the 
marches  of  Dundalk  from  the  rebelly  Irish."  The  turrets  are  reached  by  a  winding 
staircase.  The  altitude  is  sufficiently  high  to  command  the  country  lying  seaward, 
and  Dundalk  Bay  itself.  There  are  fine  old  gnarled  beech  trees  in  the  grounds  about 
the  Castle. 

In  Castletown  graveyard  are  many  objects  of  interest.  Hoey  (Marmion  being 
buried  in  Louth)  of  '98  fame,  is  buried  at  the  north-east  corner  of  the  old  monastery, 
whose  altar  stone  bears  an  inscription  to  Sir  Walter  Bellew,  Priest — 1643.  There 
is  a  regular  colony  of  Franciscan  monks  awaiting  resurrection  there,  adjacent  to 
Byrne's  roofless  vault.    [For  description  of  the  Pirate  Byrne,  see  p.  00]. 

Castleroche,  situated  about  two  miles  further  north,  is  another  of  the  frontier 
Castles  of  the  Pale.  It  is  a  huge  structure,  with  foundations  of  rock.  The  banquet- 
ing hall  )s  still  observable,  as  well  as  the  watch  tower  or  square  keep,  the  massive 
curtain  walls  affording  room  for  guards  around.  It  is  said  to  have  been  built  by 
Rose  Verdon,  an  heiress,  of  the  English  Pale,  who  married  into  the  Bellew  family. 
It  was  partly  demohshed  by  Ohver  Cromwell  in  1649.  Rose  Verdon  does  not  seem 
to  have  been  a  desirable  acquaintance,  if  the  traditional  stories  are  true.  On 
one  occasion  when  called  on  to  surrender  the  castle  or  her  husband,  she  preferred 
the  latter,  remarking,  "  that  a  husband  could  be  found  any  day,  but  not  a  castle." 
On  another  it  is  alleged  she  flung  the  builder  from  its  battlements  in  order  to  destroy 
its  secrets.  There  is  yet  another  which  still  remains  among  the  country  folk  about 
-the  surrender  to  Cromwell.  A  woman  servant's  Cupid-ity  for  a  Cromwellian  soldier 
induced  her  to  betray  the  castle  by  leaving  the  entrance  open  at  the  Sallyport. 

THURSDAY  AFTERNOON— JULY  9th. 
1.0  p.m.,  .  .  .  Members  lunched  at  their  respective  hotels. 

2.0  p.m.,  .  .  .  Starting  from  the  Town  Hall  the  party  (60)  drove  to  Dromiskin,  Round  Tower,  Cross, 
and  Churchyard  ;  on  through  Castlebellingham  and  Kilsaran  to  Greenmount ; 
thence  returned  to  Castlebellingham  (the  Castle),  where  Sir  Henry  and  the  Hon. 
Lady  Bellingham  had  a  Garden  Party  to  meet  the  members  and  Associates  of  the 
Society ;  afterwards  returned  to  Dundalk.  At  Greenmount,  Rev.  J.  B.  Leslie 
and  Mr.  G.  H.  Orpen  gave  interesting  descriptions. 

Castlebellingham  Castle,  the  residence  of  Sir  Henry  and  the  Hon.  Lady  BelUngham, 
was  en  fete,  and  some  three  hundred  guests  from  this  and  the  adjoining 
Counties,  together  with  a  large  house  party,  made  gay  the  Castle  grounds,  terraced 
in  some  places,  and  sweeping  green  swards  reaching  to  the  water's  edge,  and  away 
to  the  well-arranged  gardens,  forming  a  pretty  picture.    The  repose  and  restfulness 


COUNTY  LOUTH    ARCH/EOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


95 


of  the  surroundings  revived  the  visitors  after  the  peregrinations  of  the  day,  ncrtwith- 
standing  the  weirdness  of  the  O'Neill  pipers'  music,  which  floated  along  the  river 
and  over  its  waterfall  which  set  off  the  beauty  of  the  castle  and  it«  picturesque 
lawn.  The  members  had  the  opportunity  of  examining  the  antiquities  in  the 
Castle,  including  the  well-known  "  Bellingham  Diary."  The  Castle,  is  built  on  the 
site  of  another  burnt  in  1689  by  the  troops  of  King  James.  Colonel  Thoma.s  fielling- 
bam,  the  writer  of  the  "  Diary  " — portion  of  which  has  appeared  in  Part  III.  of 
this  Journal — gives  a  vivid  account  of  the  Battle  of  the  Boyne.  He  was  William's 
Aide-de-camp,  and  entertained  him  at  Castlebelhngham  the  night  before  the  battle. 
There  is  a  httle  shrine  in  the  Continental  style  containing  a  crucifix,  erected  in  memory 
of  Lady  Constance  Bellingham  near  the  Castle  entrance. 

James  Napper  Tandy,  a  '98  patriot,  who  by  the  way  attended  a  meeting  of  United 
Irishmen  in  the  house  in  Chvirch-street,  Dundalk,  now  known  as  Klondyke,  lies 
buried  in  the  vault  under  Caatlebellingham  church. 


FRIDAY,  JULY  10th. 

8.58  a.m.,  ...  By  L.  and  N.  W.  Railway  to  Greenore  from  Quay-street  Station,  or  from  the  Junction 
at  8.38  a.m.,  passing  through  Cooley  by  Ballug  Castle. 

9.45  a.m.,  .  .  .  Arrived  at  CarHngford  ;  visited  King  John's  Castle,  Taaffe's  Castle,  the  Abbey, 
(Dominican  Priory),  the  Tholsel,  &c.,  under  the  guidaiK:e  of  Mr.  H.  Woodney,  J. P., 
and  Dr.  Finegan,  J. P. 

12.37  p.m.,  .  .  .  Left  Carlingford  for  Greenore. 

1.0  p.m.,  .  .  .  Lunched  at  L.  &  N.  W.  R.  Hotel. 

Upwards  of  eighty  persons  sat  down  to  limch  at  the  Greenore  Hotel,  under  the 
presidency  of  Mr.  Ribton  Garstin,  D.L.,  who  gave  an  interesting  address — and 
congratulated  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquarians  and  the  Louth  Archaeological 
Society  upon  the  very  successful  tour  which  was  just  drawing  to  a  close. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Faulkner  proposed  and  Mr.  Grove  White  seconded  a  vote  of  thanks 
to  the  local  Society.  Mr.  Tempest,  J. P.,  acknowledged  the  compliment  on  behalf 
of  the  Reception  Committe€  . 

3.0  p.m.,  .  .  .  Left  Greenore  by  rail,  returning  as  far  as  Bellurgan  Station  ;  then  drove  to  Bally- 
mascanlan  ;  visited  Proleek  Crotnleac  and  Giant's  Grave  ;  thence  to  Mountpleaaant 
(Aghaboys),  where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  MacNeill  had  afternoon  Tea  for  the  party  ;  thence 
to  Faughart. 

This  day's  itinerary  was  most  comprehensive  and  interesting.  The  railway  faci- 
lities conduced  much  to  expedition,  albeit  the  country  traversed  was  so  extended. 
Carhngford  is  built  on  a  rock-bound  coast,  plentifully  suppHed  with  ancient^  buildings. 
There  is  something  about  the  houses  forming  the  narrow  streets  which  reminds 
one  of  other  days.  The  Guide  Book  issued  by  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries 
for  the  occasion,  gives  a  description  of  the  Tholsel  in  Carhngford  :  — 

"  On  the  road  leading  from  Carlingford  to  Greenore  at  the  southern  end  of  the 
village,  stands  the  Tholsel,  a  small  rude  building,  capable  of  holding  about  twelve 
or  fifteen  persons,  arched  over  the  narrow  street.  Little  terror  or  dignity  is  carried 
in  its  look  now,  it  once  accommodated  a  sovereign  and  twelve  burgesses,  who  ruled 
the  commonalty  of  the  town  and  borough  of  Carhngford,  and  gave  laws  to  three 
counties — Louth,  Armagh,  and  Down.  It  now  looks  like  one  of  the  old  watch  towers 
which  formerly  flanked  the  walls  of  the  town." 

The  arched  gateway  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  gateways  of  the  ancient  town. 
One  of  the  few  architectural  features  it  possesses  is  the  trace  of  a  small  round- 
headed  window  in  one  of  the  walls.  The  structure  has  been  modernised  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  deprive  it  of  much  of  the  interest  it  originally  possessed.  Other  places 
of  interest  in  the  district  are  Kilwirra  Churchyard  and  Mount  Bagnal.  The  former 
word  signifies  "  Church  of  the  Virgin,"  and  a  few  historic  jiersons  sleep  in  the  grave- 
yard ;  while  the  latter  is  the  name  of  the  site  which  Sir  Harry  Bagnell,  whose  fli.ster 
married  Hugh  O'Neill,  Prince  of  Tyrone,  selected  for  his  castle.  The  Dominican 
Priory  in  Carhngford,  which  is  referred  to  by  Rev.  A.  Coleman,  O  P.,  in  O'Heyn's 
"  History  of  the  Dominican  Order  in  Ireland,"  wa^  founded  in  the  year  1305,  and 
when  the  foundation  ceased,  the  Dominicans,  Otherwise  the  "  Black  Friars." 
migrated  to  Dundalk. 

Proleek  Stone,  or  Cromlea,c,  and  Giant's  Grave,  prove<i  of  interest  to  the  visitors. 
Some  said  it  was  worth  while  travelling  any  distance  to  see  them.  The  stream  whoiM- 
water  flows  up-hill  from  the  valley  below  along  the  Deer  Park  roati,  puzzled  the 


96  VISIT  OF  THE   SOCIETY  OF  ANTIQUARIES    TO    CO.  LOUTH. 


int^illigenc^o  of  all.  Fr.  Quinn  read  an  interesting  paper  dcBcribing  the  locality, 
writt<m  by  the  Rev.  Fr.  Lawless,  P.P.  of  Faiighart.  It  will  be  found  elsewhere  in 
this  Journal.  Mr.  Redmond  Magrath  also  described  the  jKJculiar  features  of  the 
place. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Telford  MacNeill  hatl  a  large  party  to  welcome  the  Members  at 
Mountpleasant.  The  house  and  grounds  w«re  thrown  open  to  them.  Mount- 
pleasant  House  was  designed  by  the  owner's  father,  the  late  Sir  John  MacNeill, 
the  famous  Engineer,  whose  knighthood  followed  the  completion  of  the  Boyne 
Viaduct.  Mountpleasant  House  is  after  the  slyle  of  those  on  the  Italian  Lakes. 
4.45  p.m.,  .  .  .  Faughart ;  visited  site  of  Bruce's  Grave,  St.  Brigid's  Well,  Faughart  Mount  (field  of 
battle),  distant  view  of  Moyra  Pass,  Kilnasaggart,  Slieve  GuUion,  &c.,  returning  to 
Dundalk. 


Next  day,  Saturday,  several  additional  excursions  were  again  made  to  Faughart, 
the  site  of  Bruce's  grave,  St.  Brigid's  Well,  Faughart  Mount ;  Moyry  Pass  ;  Kilna- 
saggart ;  Dimgooley,  the  site  of  O'Neill's  Castle  ;  St.  Brigid's  new  Church,  Kilcurry, 
&c.  At  each  of  these  places  I  was  able  to  give  short  descriptions  of  the  leading 
features  ;  and  was  gratified  to  know  that  I  contributed  in  a  small  way  to  the  pleasure 
of  so  many  friends  from  the  north  and  from  the  south,  who  expressed  how  highly 
they  enjoyed  their  week's  tour  through  the  land  of  Cuchulainn  and  Queen  Maeve. 


The  Royal  Society's  Journal  contains  descriptive  and  illustrative  articles  on  the  places  in  the 
itinerary :  and  references  will  be  found  to  other  papers  and  authorities  on  pages  284-300, 
Part  III.,  Vol.  38. 

T.  Murphy. 

50  Park  Street.  Dundalk. 


The  Journal  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Ireland  ;  parts  3  and  4,  vol.  xxxvii., 
and  parts  i  and  2,  vol.  xxxviii. 

Of  these  four  quarterly  volumes  we  meet  the  usual  well-known  archaeological  exponents.  Irish 
archaeology  is  touched  on  at  all  its  points,  but  for  a  real  help  towards  a  study  and  understanding  of 
our  history  we  should  select  Mr.  MacAlister's  paper  The  Legendary  Kings  of  Ireland  (vid.  part  i.,  vol.  38.) 
Nowadays  When  the  early  legendary  period  of  Irish  history  is  become  the  happy  hunting  ground  of 
historians  this  article  deserves  a  welcome.  Having  carefully  examined,  compared  and  checked,  one 
with  the  other,  the  ogham  inscriptions  and  the  legendary  accounts,  his  conclusion  is  that  the  old 
chroniclers  wrote  real  history,  with  the  reservation,  however,  that  they  wrote  it  badly. 

For  the  rest,  Messrs.  Westropp  and  Orpen  divide  the  honours  between  them  for  untiring  work ; 
in  fact  their  contributions  make  up  the  great  bulk  of  the  present  volumes.  Mr.  Westropp  has  to  his 
credit  what  must  surely  be  a  complete  record  of  Clonmacnois,  which,  he  says,  we  must  regard  as  "  a 
complex  city  of  God,  and  not  a  cloister  ;  a  primitive  Oxford,  a  See  and  Colleges  ;  "  two  lengthy 
articles  on  Pubblebrian  and  Carrigogunnell  Castle  in  Co.  Limerick,  and  a  study  of  the  Promontory 
Forts  of  Irrus  in  Co.  Clare.  Mr.  Orpen  deals  with  AtJUone  Cattle,  Castrum  Keyvini,  and  Ca^trum 
Novum  Mackynegan,  the  two  latter  being  situate  in  the  O'Toole  and  O'Byme  country.  These  three 
it  may  be  safely  said,  give  us  all  that  has  been  recorded  of  the  places  in  question  in  calendars,  papers. 
State  papers.  Pipe  rolls,  Fiants,  Inquisitions,  &c.,  &c.,  and  will  be  very  valuable  to  the  writer  who 
attempts  their  history  from  an  Irish  point  of  view. 

Lieut. -Col.  W.  O.  Kavenagh  writes  three  short  sketches  of  Irish  Institutions  and  Memorials  in 
the  Low  Countries.  The  Flags  in  Ypres  Choir  he  believes  were  not  taken  on  "  Ramilles  bloody  field," 
but  at  the  battle  of  Landen.  Other  important  articles  are  "  Notes  on  the  St.  Lawrences,  Lords  of 
Howth,"  by  Lord  W.  Fitzgerald ;  "  Shanrahan  Castle  and  See,  "  by  Rev.  J.  Everard,  P.P. ; 
"  Manufacture  of  Flint  Implements,"  by  Mr.  George  Coffey ;  "  Ogam  Stone  at  Mountrussel,"  Co. 
Limerick,  by  Prof.  Rhys.  MacAlister  and  Mr.  H.  S.  Crawford  ;  "  Early  Christian  Monuments  "  at 
Gallen  Priory,  King's  County,  with  a  continuation  dealing  with  an  inscribed  cross-slab,  by  E.  C.  R. 
Armstrong  ;  "  The  Crest  of  the  Chieftains  of  Hy  Fiachrach  Aidhne,"  by  Rev.  J.  Fahy,  D.D.,  P.P. 
"  The  Fleetwoods  of  Co.  Cork,"  by  the  late  Sir  E.  Bewley,  LL.D.  In  particular  we  would  commend 
our  readers  to  a  five- page  article  by  Mr.  Robert  Cochrane,  "  Cromlechd  in  Co.  Tyrone  "  (vid.  part  iv., 
vol.  37).  There  are  many  such  cromlechs  and  giant's  graves  in  our  own  district,  and  the  valuable 
information  in  this  paper  will  greatly  help  towards  their  appreciation.  Here  is  also  much  interesting 
matter  under  the  heading  "  Miscellanea." 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCH^OLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


97 


The  Water  ford  ArchcBological  Journal ;  4  vols. 

Besides  brief  descriptive  and  illustrated  accounts  of  recent  finds — pins,  ognam  stone,  and  cinere&I 
um — a  good  though  necessarily  discursive  article  on  "  Dungarvan  "  from  the  seventh  century  to 
the  present  day  comes  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Coleman.  But  the  greater  paxt  of  the  Journals  is  taken 
up  with  Fr.  Power's  Place  Names  in  the  Decies  " — 160  pages  to  be  accurate.  The  Deciee  an  popularly 
understood  is  but  a  district  in  the  County  of  Waterford,  yet  Fr.  Power  haa  chosen  for  his  province 
not  only  the  whole  of  that  county  but  in  addition  a  great  portion  of  South  Tipperary.  Fr.  Power 
is  an  exemplar  in  method  ;  he  takes  a  barony,  writes  a  brief  historical  note  on  it,  divides  it  into  parishes 
adding  notes  on  each,  and  these  he  sub-divides  into  townlands,  and  then  only  his  work  proper  begins '; 
sometimes  as  many  as  fifteen  or  even  twenty 'names  of  places — duns,  wells,  stones,  Ac,  appear  under 
the  heading  of  one  townland.  Even  in  cases  where  the  hving  language  yields  its  aid  Fr.  Power,  though 
a  competent  Irish  scholar,  is  sometimes  puzzled  and  admits  the  fact,  wherein  Fr.  Power  is  again  an 
exemplar.  These  papers  have  a  ring  of  finahty  and  completeness  about  them  that  is  re-aasuring,  and 
we  can  confidently  recommend  them  to  the  happily  growing  body  of  fttu^denta  of  toponomy.  We  are 
aware  that  Fr.  Power  has  brought  out  the  completed  series  in  book  form. 

The  Journal  of  the  County  Kildare  Archaeological  Society  ;  vol.  v.,  Nos.  5  and  6. 

These  volumes  are  overladen  with  family  records,  and  family  records  are  tiresome  things.  The 
story  of  Belan  House  of  the  Alborough  family  is  told  by  a  writer  of  much  charm  and  at  times  a  personal 
if  not  almost  domestic  note  is  touched.  Lord  Walter  Fitzgerald  writes  on  Baltinglass  Abbey,  ita  pos- 
sessions and  their  post-reformation  possessors  ;  it  is  instinct  with  learning  and  yet  has  a  friendly  ton© 
about  it  which  attracts  one.  Two  other  articles  one  on  the  Crosbys  of  Stradbally  (anything  to  him 
of  Mullaghmast  ?)  and  one  on  "  The  Alens  of  St.  Wolfstans,"  with  genealogical  intricacies  in  extenso 
appear.  If  we  must  have  "  Family  "  papers,  and  it  seems  inevitable,  let  them  be  treated  of  in  relation 
to  the  land  they  lived  in.  It  becomes  wearisome  when  no  other  achievement  is  chronicled  of  then 
than  that  having  been  born  they  got  married  and  died.  The  article  by  "  Omurethi  "  on  "  Customa 
peculiar  to  certain  days  "  brings  us  back  to  the  joyous  days  of  youth  ;  not  a  single  one  of  the  customa 
mentioned  is  peculiar  to  Co.  Kildare,  and  they  are  all  still  in  vogue  up  and  down  the  country.  But 
why  does  Omurethi  classify  the  distribution  of  ashes  on  Ash  Wednesday  with  the  pisthogues  and  the 
rest  ?  In  the  ^st  place  the  ashes  are  not  burned  turf,  but  ashes  of  palms  blessed  on  the  previous 
Palm  Sunday  and  reserved  for  this  purpose,  and  secondly  the  distribution  of  them  aa  described  is  a 
liturgical  ceremony  universal  in  the  Catholic  Church.  West  Co.  Wicklow  notes,  by  C.  M.  Drury,  and 
Historical  Notes  on  Baltinglass  (beAlAc  Conj^lAif ),  by  E.  P.  O'Kelly,  partake  of  the  same  general 
character  and  are  very  readable.  In  addition  to  various  short  notes  chiefly  from  the  pen  of  Lord 
W.  Fitzgerald  the  following  poems  are  fittingly  included  :  "  Mesgedra,  a  Legend  of  Clane,"  by  Sir  S. 
Ferguson ;  and  "  The  Death  of  Lord  Edward  Fitzgerald,"  by  T.  D.  Sullivan. 

Note  : — The  Society's  Review  Copies  of  all  Magazines  and  Journals  are  to  be  seen  and  consulted 
at  the  Dundalk  Free  Library. 

The  Journal  of  the  Ivernian  Society. 

This  Journal — a  new  quarterly  which  made  its  appearance  in  July  last — deserves  a  welcome 
from  Irishmen.  Observing  the  rather  patent  fact  that  the  modem  Irish  Revival  Movement  has  not 
taken  hold  of  the  commercial  and  professional  classes — there  are  just  enough  exceptions  to  prove  the 
rule — the  founders  of  the  Ivernian  Society  set  themselves  to  in  part  provide  the  remedy.  Their  scope 
includes  "  the  study  and  encouragement  of  the  language,  literature,  history,  archaeology,  music  and 
art  of  Ireland,  and  of  kindred  subjects,"  and  their  objective  is  frankly  the  Irishising  of  the  upper  classes. 
The  moving  spirits  of  the  Society  are  Dr.  Bertram  Windle,  M.A. ;  Rev.  P.  Sexton,  D  D.  ;  An 
vAtA\p  peA-oA|i,  Dr.  Annie  Patteson,  Mr.  M.  Murphy,  Solicitor  ;  F.  J.  Healy,  B.L.  ;  Rev.  J.  Canon 
O'Mahony,  all  of  whom  contribute  to  the  first  number.  The  annual  subscription  (5/-)  is  payable 
to  J.  H.  Horgan,  Hibernian  Bank,  Cork. 

ctoiC-ceAnn-f  AOlAit). 

'Ouine  A  bpuit  ^Ae-Oit^e  Aige  'r^  mo  corfiAitMe  -Oo  An  LeAbAipn  "OeAf  r^o  a 
CeATiTiAC  A^uf  A  t6i$eAni.  Cati  fuiL  -ouine  1  sCuige  UlAt)  f5tMot)Ar  niof  CAicneAi^e 
r\S  r5t^iot:)Ann  SeumAf  Ua  SeAt\CAi$  as^^V  1  "ocAoit*  ifci^  -oe  clu-OAt^  An  le^DAif 
feo  JzS  oCc*teAtAnAi$  if  cjM  pCeA-o  -oe  ^ACOilse  if  \:eA\y\K  rspot)  Seum^r  AfMAtti. 
UfACcAf  Ann  50  binn,  50  cui^fineAC,  50  b|Mo$niA|\  a\^  CoLiifce  CloiC-CeAnn- 
fTAOtAit),  A|\  rhu1nnceAt^A1t),  Aguf  A|\  SeACAitDeACc  (archaeology)  r\A  n-Aice,  A\y  obAif 
An  coti^ifce  Aguf  pOfOA  a\\.  a  pl^^f^u^\K^X),  AefitjcACcAi,  cufAif,  Ajof  TTiAf  fin  -oe. 
51-0  50  bpuit  pioccuifi — f6  cinn  acu— CA^fA  A5Uf  poclOif  r^n  leAbAj^,  CAn  fuit 
mA^A  tUAt  A^\<  Atz  t:\\\  pi$ne  :  mA^t  An  fomplA  "oo  mumncif  ConnAjxtA  nA 
S-AcOit^e  6  fin  ! 


98 


RICVI  lows. 


History  of  Kiharan,  by  Rev.  f.  B.   Leslie,  M.A. 

It  is  uiiiKM'OHsary  fo  intro  lucci  to  iiUiinlxTS  of  tli(!  (V)unty  IjOiitli  Ar(;h«;()l()gi(al  S()(:i(;ty  Rev.  Mr. 
Lci.slic'rt  History  of  Kilsarau,  |)iil)li,slui(i  in  IIk;  early  {)art  of  thiH  year,  hut  it  refjuireH  inention  here 
none  the  U.hs  an  the  iiiost  important  (^ontrihution  to  the  history  of  ('oiinty  Louth  Hine(5  tl)o  ai)i)(iaranoe 
of  I)' Alton's  Histories  of  DrogJwdn  and  I)und(dk. 

It  is  a  valuahle  eoinix^ndiuin  of  histori(!al  information  u[)on  a  larg(5  part  of  Central  Louth — the 
Hoasi(l(^  luilf  of  the  county  hetween  the  Dc^e  and  the  Fane. 

Mr.  Leslie  has  devoted  untiring  industry  and  research  to  the  preparation  of  this  book,  and  his 
painstaking  transcriptions  upon  the  documents  in  the  Record  Office,  from  the  MSS.  in  Armagh  Library 
and  in  Trinity  ("ollego  Library,  and  from  all  the  Parish  Registers,  bring  together  an  amount  of  details 
of  the  grcjitest  interest. 

From  the  various  annals  he  has  extracted  a  good  deal  of  matter  relating  to  the  early  centuries 
of  independent  Ireland.  There  are  sources  of  Celtic  history  still  to  be  investigated,  and  traditional 
narratives  to  bo  critically  studied,  and  Irish  scholars  may  yet  fill  the  stage  of  this  district  vi'ith  figures 
and  events  of  dim  centuries  past  that  are  now  unknown  to  us;  but  of  the  materials  at  present  avail- 
able for  him  Mr.  Leslie  seems  to  have  made  full  use.  We  miss,  however,  the  very  interesting  evidence 
of  the  modern  Castlebellingham  Brewery,  being  the  revival  of  a  similar  important  industry  which 
flourished  here  1500  years  ago.  We  had  also  hopes  that  the  author  might  discover  something  more 
about  the  famous  little  stream  of  Glaise  an  Eara,  between  Dromiskin  and  Castlebellingham,  which 
made  the  northern  boundary  of  Tadg  of  Ely's  territory,  given  him  by  Cormac  Mac  Airt  in  reward 
for  his  help  at  the  Battle  of  Crinna,  and  is  still  a  political  meering  dividing  the  parliamentary  consti- 
tuencies of  North  and  South  Louth. 

The  early  history  of  the  district  is  dealt  with  pretty  fully.  The  site  and  history  of  the  famous 
monastery  of  Linn  Duachaill,  the  incursions  of  the  Danes  from  Annagassan,  and  their  great  battle 
in  the  bay,  should  inspire  the  pride  of  the  people  of  that  parish  and  the  curiosity  of  most  of  us  who 
knew  so  little  of  these  events  hitherto. 

The  author  makes  no  speculations  as  to  the  septs  of  the  original  or  later  Celtic  inhabitants  of 
the  district,  but  until  the  scientific  study  of  early  Irish  history  -is  carried  further  such  a  point  cannot 
be  accurately  investigated. 

The  antiquarian  remains,  of  which  Greenmount  is  the  most  venerable,  and  which  also  include 
Dromiskin  round  tower  and  cross,  are  carefully  studied  and  described. 

A  more  complete  hst  of  the  Irish  place  names  and  their  interpretation  might  have  been  made, 
but  all  the  important  ones  are  here  dealt  with. 

For  the  period  since  the  Norman  invasion  the  researches  seem  altogether  exhaustive,  and  we 
feel  satisfied  that  Mr.  Leslie's  energy  has  left  nothing  more  in  any  State  papers,  or  public  or  private 
archives,  to  be  discovered,  unless  perhaps  any  details  remain  of  the  history  of  the  Catholic  Church 
during  the  penal  days. 

The  history  of  the  important  Preceptory  of  the  Templars  and  later  of  the  Hospitallers,  at  Kilsaran, 
of  the  Primates'  residence  at  Dromiskin,  and  of  the  feudal  wars  of  the  Norman  settlers,  makes  matter 
of  much  interest.  The  account  of  the  acquisition  of  the  land  by  its  successive  owners  for  the  last  three 
centuries  and  the  descents  of  the  principal  resident  or  land-owning  families,  and  the  transcriptions  of 
the  names  of  residents  and  cess  payers  from  the  old  Vestry  Books,  and  of  all  the  tombstones  in 
churchyards,  are  also  very  gratifying  to  an  antiquarian's  curiosity. 

As  one  of  Mr.  Leslie's  readers  who  is  of  a  different  rehgion,  I  am  glad  to  express  recognition  of 
his  care  to  avoid  any  language  that  could  offend  one  of  us,  and  of  his  desire  to  give  as  full  details  cf 
modern  Catholic  Church  history  as  he  could  obtain. 

The  illustrations  ^ve  useful  and  full  of  interest ;  plans  and  maps  of  Greenmount,  Dromiskin,  etc,, 
views  of  all  the  churches,  Castlebellingham  Castle,  Braganstown,  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Garstin — the  Arch 
Druid  of  Archaeology  in  County  Louth, — and  very  valuable  reductions  of  the  Down  Survey  Maps,  which 
reproduce  very  clearly  all  the  features  of  the  originals  and  show  this  part  of  Louth  as  Sir  Wm  .Petty 
mapped  it  for  the  Commonwealth  250  years  ago. 

As  a  product  of  County  Louth,  in  material  as  well  as  mental  construction,  the  book  is  something 
to  be  proud  of,  and  shows,  as  did  the  new  edition  of  Stuart's  Armagh  and  the  scholarly  accuracy  of 
Eriu,  that  the  art  cf  high-class  printing  and  publishing  can  be  done  in  Dundalk  as  creditably  as 
in  the  City. 

Report  of  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society  of  Ireland. 

This  Society  purposes  to  issue  a,n  annual  report,  that  of  the  present  year  being  a  brochure  of 
twenty  pages.  It  contains  a  brief  note  of  the  Rev.  John  Kinnear,  D.D.,  Ex.-M.P.  for  Donegal,  who 
enjoyed  the  unique  distinction  "  of  being  the  first  clergyman  in  actual  charge  of  a  congregation  who 
ever  sat  in  the  House  of  Commons." 


COUNTY  LOUTH   ARCH.TIOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


99 


The  Architectural  and  Topographical  Record  ;   vol.  i.,  Nos.  i  and  2. 

This  is  to  be  a  record  in  the  fullest  sense,  the  aim  of  its  promoters  being  to  give  us  the  last  word 
from  their  view-point,  on  all  subjects  treated  of.  The  unit  of  investigation  is  the  Parish  and  nothing 
short  of  an  exhaustive  treatment  of  it  will  be  admitted.  In  vol.  i.  four  Kilkenny  })arisheti 
are  thus  treated,  including  Jerpoint  Abbey,  and  in  vol.  ii.  three  Co.  Clare  parishes,  including  Knnis 
and  Quin  Abbeys.  Treatment  of  several  parishes  in  Dorsetshire  is  also  included  in  these  volumes. 
Ireland  certainly  comes  in  for  her  fair  share  of  notice.  The  Record  comes  from  33  Old  Queen  Street, 
Westminster,  London  (10/6  annually),  and  lest  someone  or  rather  lest  everyone  should  give  too  much 
credit  to  our  English  friends  who  first  having  provided  us  with  the  finest  ruins  in  Europe  are  now  going 
to  measure  and  appraise  them  for  us,  we  hasten  to  say  that  to  Mr.  Conor  O'Brien — also  a  member  of 
ours — all  our  thanks  are  due.  The  consoling  motto  of  the  Society  is  Scire  ubi  aliqnid  inrenire  po.s.si.i, 
ea  demum  maxima  pars  eruditionis  est. 


"  Something  attempted,  something  done^ 


This  year  we  have  been  compelled  to  strike  off  twenty-six  names  from  our  list  of  members.  "  'Tis 
true  'tis  pity,  and  pity  'tis  'tis  true,"  and  what  help  is  there  ;  if  ladies  and  gentlemen  persist  in  turning 
a  deaf  ear  to  our  Treasurer's  appeal,  though  this  latter  be  insistent  as  "  the  still  small  voice,"  no  choice 
is  left  us,  we  blot  out  their  names  regretting  their  lack  of  interest  in  archaeology — and  somewhat,  their 
five  or  ten  shillings. — {Vide  Rules). 

*         Hf         *         *  * 

As  against  this  loss,  however,  we  are  glad  to  announce  the  admission  of  thirty-three  new  members, 
so  that  we  face  the  coming  year  with  the  good  total  of  230. 

***** 

Since  the  last  issue  of  the  Journal  there  have  been  two  General  Meetings  of  the  Society  and  seven 
Meetings  of  Council.  In  accordance  with  the  usual  practice  we  give  the  attendances  of  the  members 
of  the  Council,  which  is  as  follows  ;— Sir  Henry  Bellingham,  3  ;  Mrs.  C.  S.  Whitworth,  4  ;  Jo.seph  T. 
Dolan,  M.A.,  4  ;  Wm.  Tempest,  J. P.,  4  ;  T.  M.  Healy,  K.C.,  0  ;  J.  W.  Turner,  M.A.,  5  ;  H.  G.  Tem|M'st, 
4  ;  Rev.  P.  Lyons,  S.T.L.,  3  ;  Redmond  Magrath,  2  ;  Rev.  Thomas  Ciogarty,  3  ;  J.  N.  Armstrong, 
C.'l.R.,  4  ;  Mr.  P.  Matthews,  I  ;  Dr.  Wm.  Bradley,  J. P.,  0  ;  Miss  S.  Comerford,  2  ;  Mr.  F^.  Lambe.  0  ; 
Miss  L.  Patteson,  4  ;  Rev.  James  Quinn,  G.  With  regard  to  these  attendances,  which  are  on  the  whole 
satisfactory,  it  is  to  be  noted  that  only  three  meetings  were  held  since  Miss  Cbmerford  was  elect«'d, 
and  that  the  Drogheda  representatives  have  come  to  an  understanding  with  the  Committee  that  on 
account  of  distance,  &c.,  they  will  not  be  present  at  ordinary  routine  nieetings. 

***** 

We  held  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Society  in  tlu;  Whitworth  Hall,  Drogheda,  in  November  last, 
before  which  Mr.  J.  N.  Armstrong,  C.I.R.,  Dundalk,  delivered  an  interesting  lecture  on  Anci(!nt  Egypt. 
The  Mayor,  Mr.  Drew,  presided,  and  introduced  the  lecturer.  Considering  that  but  a  comparatively 
small  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Drogheda  are  members  of  the  Society  the  attendance  on  this  occasion 
was  complimentary  to  Mr.  Armstrong's  reputation  as  a  lecturer.  The  lectun-  was  suitably  illuslrat<'d, 
and  Mr.  Duffy  had  charge  of  the  lantern.  The  vote  of  thanks  was  put  by  the  Very  Rev.  Precentor 
M'Clintock,  Drumcar,  and  seconded  by  Dr.  Wm.  Bradley.  Mr.  E.  Lambe  had  charge  of  the  general 
arrangements. 


lOO 


NOTKS   AND  I'ROCKEDINdS. 


The  inaumirul  tiuusliii^  of  lh(^  prcsciil  y(Mir  was  held,  with  kind  iMrrinissioii,  in  l.lic  Rdudin^  lloorriH 
of  th(^  Khmi  Ivibrary,  Duiidalk,  Mrs.  ('.  S.  Whitwort.li  prcsidinf^.  'Vhv.  Sficrotary  pro.  tern,  announced 
the  results  of  Ww  ohM'tion  of  Oflicials  and  (loiincil  and  also  stated  that  th(^  nunnhershif)  had  inoiint*^! 
up  to  '220.  Mrs.  Whitworth  then  introdiiccMl  1,h(^  lect iir(;r,  Rvv .  .James  Ma(  ( Jafln^y,  Ph.D.  'Vhi-  Ir-cture, 
which  is  given  in  oxtonso  in  this  issue,  was  lu^ard  with  f.;n;at  internist  and  attention.  Rev.  Fr.  Lyons, 
S.T.Ij.,  ('.('.,  Dwndalk,  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  in  whicli  h(»  |)aid  a  n(;at  tril)uto  to  Dr.  Mat  ( 'affrey's 
al)ility.     Mr.       N.  Armstrong  seconded  in  his  own  humourous  way. 


*        *        *        *  * 


Son\eone  has  said  that  archaeologists  su[){)ly  the  bricks  and  mortar  of  history.  QuiU;  so  !  And 
accordingly  we  hope  that  everyone  of  our  members  will  heave  a  brick  at  us. 

-  '  *  *  *  *  1(C 


The  work  of  the  Restoration  and  Preservation  of  our  historic  remains  is  going  on  quietly  but 
steadily.  St.  Ronan's  Well  at  Castletown,  Dundalk,  is  now  at  the  present  moment  rebuilt  under 
the  supervision  of  Mr.  Redmond  Magrath,  Rev.  N.  Lawless,  P.P.,  and  Mr.  Wm.  Tempest,  J. P.  Every 
care  is  being  taken  to  retain  the  ancient  appearance  of  the  place,  and  the  name  of  the  well  neatly 
carved  in  Irish  will  henceforth  meet  the  eyes  of  visitors  to  CobAji  Ron^Mn.  Simultaneously  with 
this  another  important  work,  the  excavation  and  repairing  of  the  souterrain  under  Castletown  Dun 
is  being  carried  through  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Milling,  C.E.,  and  Major  Berry.  This  is  necessarily 
a  more  tedious  and  more  expensive  work. 

*       *       *  * 


The  Society's  Restoration  Fund  stood  at  £28  18s.  at  the  beginning  of  this  year.  The  work  men- 
tioned above  will  absorb  at  least  ten  pounds,  and  intimation  of  several  applications  for  other  urgent 
works  is  on  hand.  The  Society  will  endeavour  in  every  case  to  give  assistance,  but  with  a  shortage 
of  funds  in  prospect  we  fear  disappointments  are  inevitable.  The  only  resources  to  fall  back  upon 
in  such  cases  are  local  help  and  individual  effort.  It  is  gratifying  to  note  that  in  two  districts  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Dundalk  such  means  were  not  wanting.  On  the  top  of  Slieve  GulHon  a  nondescript 
cavity  had  become  generally  known  as  the  Calliagh  Birra's  House.  Not  long  ago  some  young  men 
under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  L.  Donnellan,  C.C.,  cleared  away  the  debris  and  thus  revealed  a  pre- 
historic burial  chamber  of  the  type  of  the  great  sepulchral  vaults  of  Newgrange  and  Dowth.  The 
other  instance  occurs  in  Knockbridge  ;  the  great  souterrain  there  was  broken  down  for  several  yards 
and  buried  under  tons  of  clay.  The  young  fellows  of  the  district  gathered  to  repair  it  and  they  did 
their  work  so  neatly  and  so  scientifically  that  one  may  now  walk  its  entire  length — eighty-five  feet — 
without  discomfort  and  in  perfect  security.  The  County  Louth  Archaeological  Society  would  be  glad 
to  chronicle  in  their  Journal  similar  undertakings.  Of  course  works  which  partake  of  such  monu- 
mental character  as  the  railing  of  the  Magdalen  Tower,  Drogheda,  are  possible  only  to  wealthy  bodies. 

***** 


A  word  about  our  elections.  Franchise  on  the  most  enlightened  lines  obtains  in  the  County  Louth 
Archaeological  Society,  yet  our  total  poll  al  the  last  annual  election  of  Officers  and  Council  was  so 
disgracefully  small  that  we  have  some  hesitation  in  publishing  it ;  out  of  187  voting  papers  sent  out 
only  37  were  returned  ! 


*       *       ♦       *  * 


The  passage  of  seasons  has  brought  us  changes,  and  not  the  least  of  them  is  the  departure  of 
Mr.  Morris  from  our  midst.  Since  the  inception  of  our  Society  in  1903  till  October,  1907,  when 
Mr.  Morris  was  appointed  Gaelic  Organizer  to  the  National  Board  of  Education  he  held  office  as  our 
Hon.  Secretary,  and  to  his  ability  and  many-sided  energy  the  success  of  the  Co.  Louth  Archaeological 
Society  must  in  all  fairness  be  in  a  large  measure  attributed.  At  a  Council  Meeting,  held  4th  October, 
1907,  Rev.  Fr.  Lyons,  S.T.L.,  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Morris,  which  was  strongly  supported 
by  Mr.  J.  W.  Turner,  M.A. 


COUNTY   LO[JTH   ARCH.EOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


lor 


IJreeentation  to  pir.  tjeurij  litotn-ie. 

In  the  Boardroom  of  the  Free  Library,  Dundalk,  a  meeting  of  members  of  the 
County  Ivouth  Archaeological  Society  was  held  on  25th  April,  1908,  for  the  purpose 
of  pre^-enting  Mr.  Henry  Morris  with  some  mark  of  the  Society's  appreciation  of  his 
services  while  connected  with  their  association.  Mr.  Morris  had  been  Secretary  of 
the  Society  since  its  initiation,  and  lately  resigned  owing  to  his  appointment  as 
Organising  Inspector  of  Irish  under  the  National  Board  of  Education.  Mr.  Morris 
was  well-known  in  and  around  Dundalk,  and  in  adjacent  counties,  for  the  whole- 
hearted and  deep  interest  which  he  took  in  everything  connected  with  the  Gaelic 
movement  and  the  Louth  Archaeological  Society.  It  seemed  to  those  who  had  been 
closely  associated  with  him  in  the  working  of  the  Society,  and  who  knew  how  largely 
its  success  was  due  to  his  energy  and  ability,  that  it  would  not  be  right  to  allow  him 
to  leave  without  some  token  of  their  appreciation.  The  presentation  to  Mr.  Morris 
assumed  the  nature  of  an  address,  a  cheque,  and  some  valuable  reference  books  on 
archaeology.  Among  those  present  were  :  Rev.  S.  L.  Harrison,  Castlebellingham  ; 
Rev.  P.  Lyons,  C.C.  ;  Wm.  Tempest,  J. P.  ;  J.  W.  Turner,  H.  G.  Tempest,  and 
Redmond  Magrath.  Letters  of  apology  were  read  from  several  members  highly 
approving  of  the  movement,  and  regretting  their  inability  to  be  present. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Turner  having  been  moved  to  the  chair,  Mr.  Wm.  Tempest,  J. P., 
explained  the  object  of  the  meeting,  and  presented  Mr.  Morris  with  the  address, 
and  accompanying  cheque,  and  books.  He  conveyed  to  Mr.  Morris  the  warm  ap- 
preciation of  everyone  connected  with  the  Society. 

The  Chairman  endorsed  everything  which  had  been  said,  Mr.  Magrath  observing 
that  Mr.  Morris  had  been  the  guide,  philosopher,  and  friend  of  the  vSociety. 

Mr.  Morris,  in  reply,  thanked  them  for  the  presentation  and  the  honour  they 
had  conferred  on  him.  He  felt  deeply  indebted  for  the  warm  appreciation  of  his 
humble  efforts.  The  Society  brought  him  in  contact  with  persons  of  refinement 
and  culture  who  otherwise  would  be  unknown  to  him,  which  in  itself  was  sufficient 
reward  for  his  labours  as  Secretary.  A  vSociety  such  as  theirs  was  most  useful,  and 
deserved  the  support  of  the  public.  Personally  he  hoped  to  maintain  his  connection 
with  it  as  far  as  his  opportunities  would  allow,  and  to  make  it  more  widely  known, 
and  in  the  circumstances  he.  thought  they  might  all  feel  proud  that  such  a  Society 
had  been  established. 

A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman  concluded  the  proceedings. 

The  following  is  the  address  :— 

To  Mr.  Henry  Morris. 

Dear  Sir, 

The  Council  of  the  County  Louth  ArchcBological  Society,  upon  hchalf  of  the  suh- 
scribers,  desire  to  convey  to  you  their  wirm  appyeciation  of  your  efforts  to  promote  the 
study  of  ArchcBology  in  this  County. 

They  recognise  that  since  the  fornMtion  of  the  Society  you  have  given  unuearied 
attention  to  its  interests  ;  and  the  successful  production  of  the  Journals  of  the  Society 
is  largely  due  to  your  initiative  and  editorship.  ■ 

The  Council  congratulate  you  on  your  promotion  to  an  important  position  under 
the  National  Board  of  Education,  and  are  quite  sure  ygu  will  bring  to  Jhe  discharge 

O 


102 


PKICSICN TA'I  ION    'JO   MR.    IIliNRY  MORRIS. 


of  your  new  duties  in  the  public  service  the  same  intelligent  industry  and  zeal  which 
have  distinguished  you  whilst  acting  as  their  Honorary  Secretary. 

They  beg  your  acceptance  of  these  books  and  accompanying  cheque,  with  best  wishds 
for  your  prosperity  and  happiness, 

(Signed), 

H.  Belungham,  Bart.,  President. 
J.  QuiNN,  C.C.,  Hon.  Sec. 

Dundalk  :  April,  1908. 

Alphabetical  List  of  Subscribers  : — 

Lord  Bellew,  H.M.L.,  Barmeath  Castle. 

Sir  Henry  Bellingham,  Bart.,  D.L.,  Bellingham  Castle. 

S.  D.  Chatterton,  Esq.,  C.I.,  R.I.C.,  Dundalk. 

V.  S.  Carroll,  Esq.,  Dundalk. 

Matthew  Comerford,  Esq.,  Town  Clerk,  Dundalk. 

Miss  S.  Comerford,  Free  Library,  Dundalk. 

Very  Rev.  J.  Corcoran,  D.D.,  St.  Mary's,  Dundalk. 

J.  T.  Dolan.  Esq.,  M.A.,  Ardee. 

Mrs.  C.  A.  Duffy,  P.L.G.,  Dundalk. 

E.  R.  M'Clintock-Dix,  Esq.,  Dublin. 

A  Friend. 

J.  Ribton  Garstin,  Esq.,  D.L.,  Ex-President  R.S.A.,  Braganstown. 
Rev.  Thomas  Gogarty,  C.C,  Termonfeckin. 
T.  M.  Healy,  Esq.,  K.C.,  M.P. 
Rev.  S.  L.  Harrison,  Castlebellingham. 
Dr.  Kearney,  Dundalk. 
Rev.  P.  Lyons,  C.C,  Dundalk. 
Rev.  J.  B.  Leslie,  M.A..  Rector  of  Kilsaran. 
Edward  Lambe,  Esq.,  Drogheda. 
/        Rev.  J.  M'Neece,  C.C,  Crossmaglen. 
Redmond  Magrath,  Esq.,  Dundalk. 
Mrs.  H.  F.  M'Cann,  Dundalk. 
Charles  M'Alester,  Esq.,  Dundalk. 
Frank  M'Hugh,  Esq.,  Lynn,  U.S.A. 
Miss  M'Cormack,  Dundalk. 

Owen  P.  Neary,  Esq.,  Cookstown  House,  Ardee. 

Mrs.  Lizzie  O'Neill,  Dundalk. 

Miss  Patteaon,  Dundalk. 

Rev.  James  Quinn,  C.C,  Cooley. 

Augustine  Quinn   Esq.,  Discard,  Cheshire. 

Redemptorist  Fathers,  Dundalk. 

Denis  C.  Rush,  Esq.,  Secretary  County  Council,  Monaghan. 

Owen  Smith,  Esq. 

A.  P.  Swan,  Esq.,  Dundalk. 

W.  Tempest,  Esq.,  J. P.,  Dundalk. 

J.  W.  Turner,  Esq.,  M.A.,  Demesne,  Dundalk. 

H.  G.  Tempest,  Esq.,  Dundalk. 

E.  Ward,  Esq.,  Ulster  Bank,  Dundalk. 

Mrs.  Stanley  Whitworth,  Blackrock,  Dundaik. 

Dr.  E.  P.  Wright,  LCD. 


COUNTY   LOUTH    ARCH/EOLOGICAL  JOUI^NAL. 


LOUTH  ARCH^OLOGICAL  SOCIETV. 

(FOUNDED  A.D.  190.}.) 


OBJECTS. 

I.  To  preserve,  examine,  anti  illustrate  all 
ancient  monuments  and  memorials  of  County 
Louth,  and  adjoining  districts. 

II.  To  study  the  arts,  manners  and  customs 
of  the  past  to  which  these  monuments  belong. 

III.  To  find  out  all  that  is  ascertainable  about 
the  history  of  Louth  and  surrounding  districts. 

IV.  To  establish  a  museum  or  museums  in 
the  County  where  objects  of  antiquarian  in- 
terest may  be  preserved. 

CONSTITUTION. 

1.  The  Society  shall  be  called  "  The  Louth 
Archaeological  Society,"  and  shall  be  non- 
political  and  non-sectarian. 

2.  The  Society  shall  consist  of  Honorary 
Members,  Members  and  Associates. 

3.  The  Annual  Subscription  of  Honorary 
Members  shall  be  10/-  ;  of  Members,  5/- 

4.  All  Subscriptions  shall  be  payable  in 
advance. 

5.  Every  Honorary  Member  and  Member 
has  the  right  of  free  admission  to  all  Meetings 
and  Lectures  of  the  Society,  and  also  of  receiving 
a  copy  of  all  publications  of  the  Society. 

G.  The  Society  shall  be  gov^erned  by  a  Pre- 
sident, four  Vice-Presidents,  Hon.  Treasurer, 
Hon.  Secretary,  and  a  Council  of  ten,  of  which 
four  shall  form  a  quorum. 

7.  The  Officers  are  ex-officio  Members  of  the 
Council. 

8.  Only  Hon.  Members  or  Members  shall  be 
eligible  for  election  to  the  Council. 

9.  The  Officers  and  Council  shall  be  elected 
by  the  Hon.  Members  and  Members  at  the 
Annual  General  Meeting  i«  each  year,  the  date 
of  such  Meeting  to  be  appointed  by  the  Council. 

MEETINGS. 

10.  The  Society  shall  meet  four  times  in  each 
year,  on  such  days  as  the  Council  shall  consider 
most  convenient,  when  lectures  may  be  delivered 
or  papers  read  and  discus.sed  on  historical  or 


archc-eological  subjects,  and  objects  of  anti- 
quarian  interest   may   be  examined. 

11.  Besides  these  General  Meetings  the 
Council  may  arrange  for  Evening  Meetings,  for 
reading  and  discussing  papers,  and  also  for  ex 
cursions  to  places  of  historical  or  antiquarian 
interest. 

12.  The  General  Meetings  of  the  Society  shall 
not  be  held  in  the  same  town,  but  shall  circulate 
among  three  or  four  of  the  most  important 
centres  in  the  County.  At  each  General  Meeting 
the  place  of  the  next  such  Meeting  shall  be 
decided  on. 

PAPERS. 

13.  No  paper  shall  be  read  before  the  Society 
without  being  first  submitted  to  and  approved 
of  by  the  Council. 

14.  All  matters  concerning  existing  religious 
or  political  differences  shall  be  excluded  from 
the  papers  to  be  read  and  the  discussions  to  bo 
held  at  the  Meetings  of  the  Society. 

15.  The  Council  shall  determine  the  order 
in  which  the  papers  shall  be  read,  and  also  those 
papers,  or  the  parts  thereof,  which  shall  be 
published. 

IG.  All  papers  read  before  the  Society  shall 
thenceforth  be  the  property  of  the  Society. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

17-  The  Council  shall  issue — provided  the 
funds  permit  — at  least  one  journal  or  publication 
during  the  year,  containing  such  papers,  or 
parts  of  digests  of  papers,  and  other  matter 
relating  to  the  Society  or  it.s  proceedings,  <is 
the  Council  shall  consider  fit. 

GENERAL. 

IH.  Amendments,  or  addition  to  the  objects, 
constitution,  and  rules  of  the  Society,  can  only 
be  made  at  the  Annual  (Jeneral  .Meeting. 

ID.  Only  Hon.  Menilwrs  or  MemlnTs  cnn 
propose  such  amendments  or  a^lditionH  ;  and 
notice  of  any  such  motions  must  Im'  lodged  with 
the  Hon.  Sec.  at  lea.st  one  month  Ix'fore  the 
date  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting. 


104 


APIM^NDIX. 


County  tout^  (^rc^aeofogicaf  ^ocie^g 


President : 

Vice- 
Presidents  . 

Treasurer  : 
Secretary  : 
Council  : 


OFFICERS  AND  COUNCIL  FOR  1908 


Sir  HenrV  Bellinoham,  Bart. 

Mrs.  C.  S.  Whitvvobth,  Blackrock,  Dundalk. 

Joseph  T.  Dolan,  M.A.,  Ardee. 

Wm.  Tempest,  J. P. 

T.  M.  Healy,  K.C,  M.P. 

Miss  L.  Patteson,  Innisfail,  Dundalk. 

Rev.  J.  QuiNN,  C.C.,  Cooley,  Carlingford. 

J.  W.  Turner,  Demesne,  Dundalk. 

H.  G.  Tempest,  Dundalk. 

Rev.  P.  Lyons,  C.C,  Dundalk. 

R.  Magrath,  Clanbrassil  Street,  Dundalk. 

Rev.  T.  GoGARTY,  C.C,  Termonfeckin. 

J.  N.  Armstrong,  Elmstead  House,  Dundalk. 

P.  Matthews,  Dundalk. 

Dr.  Wm.  Bradley,  J.P.,  Laurence  Street,  Drogheda* 

Miss  Sallie  Comerford,  Dundalk. 
Eamonn  Lambe,  Drogheda. 


MEMBERS  : 

Ad  are,  J.,  Naas,  Co.  Kildare. 
Archer,  W.  A.  Steam. packet  Quay,  Drogheda, 
Armstrong,  J.  N.,  C.LR.,  Elmstead  House,  Dundalk. 
Armstrong,  G.  A.,  Joeelyn  Place,  Dundalk. 

*  Backhouse,  H.  C.  Dundalk. 

Baddley,  St.  Clair,  Castle  Hale,  Painswick,  Gloucestershire. 
Bailey,  W.  E.,  Steampacket  Company,  Drogheda. 

*  Balfour,  B.  R.,  D.L.,  Townley  Hall,  Drogheda. 
Bellew,  Bernard  Gerald,  Drumin,  Dunleer. 

*  Bellew,  The  Hon.  Mrs.  G.,  Kenward  Yalding,  Kent. 
Bellew,  Hon.  Lady,  Barmeath,  Dunleer. 
Bellew,  Lord,  H.M.L.,  Barmeath  Castle,  Dunleer. 

*  Bellingham,  Sir  Henry,  Bart.,  Castlebellingham. 
Bellingham,  Eudo,  Dunany  House,  Dunleer. 
Black,  Joseph,  Main  Street,  Bushmills,  Co.  Antrim. 
Blake,  Richard  Marlay,  M.D.,  Ravensdale,  Co.  Louth. 
Bradley,  Dr.  Wm.,  J. P.,  Laurence  Street,  Drogheda. 
Brett,  Charles.  2,  Gretton  Villas,  Bladon  Park,  Belfast. 
Brodigan,  J.  H.,  Glen  Deep,  G.M.  Germinston,  Transvaal. 
Brunskill,  Rev.  T.  R.,  Rector  St.  Mary's,  Drogheda. 
Bryan,  Hon.  Major  George,  Jenkinstown  Park,  Kilkenny 
Brady,  Rev.  J.  W.,  S.T.L.,  Armagh. 

Buckley,  James,  11,  Homefield  Road,  Wimbledon,  Surrey. 
Bute,  Marchioness  of.  Mount  Stuart,  Rothesay. 
Butler,  Mrs.  Cecil,  Milestown,  CastlebeUinghan: . 
BuTTERLY,  Rev.  W.,  C.C,  Knockbridge. 
Butler,  Mrs.,  Greenmount,  Castlebellingham. 

Caibnes,  a.  B.,  Listoke,  Drogheda. 
Cairnes,  W.,  p.,  Stameen,  Drogheda. 
Callan,  Peter.  Bridge  Street,  Dundalk. 
Campbell,  Michael  J.,  Castle  Ballug,  Carlingford. 
Carolan,  Rev.  Francis,  P.P.,  TuUyallan,  Drogheda. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   AKCH/K OLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 


Carolan,  Paul,  Earl  Street.  Ihindalk, 

Carroll,  V.  S.,  Churrh  Street,  Duiulalk. 

Cassidy,  Rev.  Father,  P.P.,  Mona.stcrboice,  Drogheda. 

Castletown,  Lord,  Doneraile,  Co.  Cork. 

Chatterton,  S.  D.  S.,  C.I.,  Jocelyn  Place,  Duiulalk. 

Chester,  Miss,  Termonfeckin.  Drogheda. 

Clarke,  Very  Rev.  Canon,  P.P.,  Haggardstown,  Dundalk. 

Cliff,  Major,  Fane  Valley,  Dundalk. 

Collins,  Miss  M.,  Barrack  Street,  Dundalk. 

Cochrane,  Robert,  C.B.,  Sec.  R.S.A.I.,  17,  Hightield  R,)ad,  Rathgar,  Dublin. 
Coleman,  Rev.  Ambrose,  O.P.,  St.  Savioui's  Priory,  Dublin. 
Collier,  Mrs.  Patrick,  The  Dales,  Cloglierhead. 
CoMERFORD,  Miss  S.,  St.  Leonard's,  Dundalk. 
CoNNiCK,  Thomas,  Dundalk. 

Connolly,  James,  J. P.,  Rassan,  Hackballscross,  Dundalk. 
Cooke,  John,  M.A.,  Morehampton  Road,  Dublin 
CouNAHAN,  T.,  Supervisor  Inland  Revenue,  Drogheda. 
Coulter,  A.  S.,  Roden  Place,  Dundalk. 
Crossle,  Dr.  Francis,  Newry. 
Crossle,  p.,  C.E.,  Dundalk. 

Dane,  J.  W.,  Abbeyfield,  Naas,  Co.  Kildare. 

Davis,  Richard  B.,  West  Street,  Drogheda. 

Day,  Robert,  J.P.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A.,  Myrtle  Hill,  Cork. 

Dix,  E.  R.  M'Clintock,  17,  Kildare  Street,  Dublin. 

*  DoLAN,  John,  Ex-Mayor  of  Drogheda. 
DoLAN,  Seumas,    Junior  House,  Maynooth 
DoLAN,  Joseph  T.,  M.A.,  Ardee. 

DoNNELLAN,  Rev.  LuKE  C,  C.C,  Dromintee,  Newry. 
Donnelly,  The  Most  Rev.  Dr.,  Bishop  of  Canea,  Dublin. 
Duffy,  Mrs.  C  A.,  Seatown  Place,  Dundalk. 

Fagan,  Rev.  P.,  P.P.,  Kilsaran,  Castlebellingham. 
FiLOATE,  Wm.  de  Salis,  D.L.,  Lisrenny,  Ardee. 
FiLGATE  T.  F.,  Lisrenny,  Ardee. 
FiNEGAN,  Rev.  Michael,  CC,  Drogheda. 
FiNiGAN,  Miss  Lily,  Shop  Street,  Drogheda. 

FiTZMAURiCE,  Rev.  E.  B.,  "D.S.F.,  Franciscan  Convent,  Drogheda. 
Fitzgerald,  Percy,  37,  Fitzgeorge's  Road,  Eccleston  Square,  London. 

*  Fitzgerald,  Lord  Walter,  M.R.I. A.,  J. P.,  Kilkea  Castle,  Magenay,  County  Kildar^ 
Foster,  Sir  Vere,  Bart.,  Clyde  Court,  Ardee. 

FoRTESCUE,  Mrs.,  Stephenstown,  Dundalk. 
Free  Library,  Dundalk. 

Garstin,  John  Ribton  D.L.,  M.R.I. A.,  Ex-President  R.S.A.,  Jiraganstown,  Caatlelx  liiiiLhatu 
Garrett,  James,  19  Warwiqk  Villas,  Leeson  Park,  Dublin. 
GoGARTY,  Rev.  Thomas,  C.C.,  Termonfeckin. 
GoGARTY,  Rev.  Patrick,  CuUyhanna,  Co.  .\rmagh. 
Gore,  John,  SoUcitor,  Cavendish  Row,  Dublin. 

Hackett,  J.  D.,  Nicoll's  Copper  Works,  Laurel  Hill,  Long  Island,  New  York. 
Harrison,  Rev.  S.  L.,  Castlebellingham. 
HoLYWooD,  Thomas,  Bridge  Street,  Dundalk. 
HoRAN,  J.  W.,  Louth,  County  Louth. 
HoRAN,  Mrs.  J.  W.,  Louth. 

Healy,  Mrs.  T.  M.,  Glenaulin,  Chapelizo  l,  Dublin. 

*  Healy,  T.  xM.,  K.C,  M.P.,  (Menauhn.  Chai)elizod,  Dublin. 
Henry,  Mrs.,  Richardstown  Castle,  Dunleer. 

Johnston,  John,  Drumcrave  N.S.,  Cavan. 
Johnson,  .J.  M.,  C'lanbrassil  Stnict.  Dundalk. 
Johnson,  Mrs.  J.  M.,  (;ianl)raHsil  Street,  Dinidalk. 

*  Jones,  Miss,  Forthill,  Dundalk. 

*  Jones,  Colonel,  Lisnawilly,  Dundalk. 

*  Jones,  Captain  Bryan,  Lisnawilly,  Dundalk. 

Kearney,  Mathew,  M.I).,  JoccIyn  Street,  Dundalk. 
Kearney,  Joseph  P.,  Willville  House,  Carlingford. 
Kirk.  George  H.,  Clogherhead,  Drogheda.. 


AI'I'I'^NDIX. 


Looi'K,  His  H^minknck   (Jaiidinai.,  Am  ('ovVi,  Ariiiagli. 
liAMHK,  Kdward.  K,  Fair  Stnuft,  l)r()(^lM';(la. 
Lavkkty,  (/FIAHI.ks.  Solicitor,  (JuHtJiiblayney. 
liAVKLLK,  liov.  .John,  ('.(!.,  ( llo'^luii  lKvi  I,  I )r()i^h('(la. 

*  Lawi.ioss,  llov.  N.,  IM*.,  Kaii^luirl,  Dimdalk. 

Lkdoux,  Rov.  I*r"l)(!n(lary  L.  P.  'V.,  H  I).,  Rector  St.  Peter's,  Drot^hoda. 
liKNNoN,  R(5V.  .Jamks,  (!.('.,  Toiflujr,  DuiiNhm'. 
liiosME,  Rev.  J.  H.,  M.A..  Kilsaraii,  (/'astlebellingham. 
LocKETT-FoRD,  Rev.  Canon,  Ardee. 

*  Loi'TiE,  H.  p.,  Droniiskin. 

Lvnam,  p.  J.,  C.E.,  Stapleton  Place,  Dundalk. 
Lyons,  Rev.  P.,  S.T.I..,  C.C.,  Dundalk. 

MacAlister,  Charles,  Castle  Road,  Dundalk. 
Macardle,  p.  L.,  Solicitor,  Dundalk. 
Macardle,  T.  Callan,  J. P.,  Dundalk. 
Macardle,  Michael,  Kilcurley  House,  Dundalk. 
Macardle,  Mrs.  Michael,  Kilcurley  House,  Dundalk. 
Macardle,  Mis-i,  Cambricville,  Dundalk. 
MacCann,  Mrs.  Frank,  Dundalk. 
MacCaffrey,  Rev.  James,  Ph.D.,  Maynooth. 
MacCarte,  James,  St.  George's  Hill,  Everton,  Liverpool. 
MacCarthy,  Edward,  West  Street,  Drogheda. 
MacClintock,  Miss,  Drumcar,  Dunleer. 
M'Clintock,  Vtry  Rev.  Dean,  Drumcar,  Dunleer. 
M'Clintock,  H.  F.,  16,  Queensberry  Place,  London  S  W. 
MacCormack,  Miss,  St.  Alphonsus  Road,  Dundalk. 
Magauran,  p.  Clanbrassil  Strest,  Dundalk. 
MacDonnell,  H.  H.,  M.D.,  Dundalk. 
M'Donnell,  Rev.  Anthony',  CC,  Drogheda. 
MacGahon,  J.  F.,  St.  Mary's  Road,  Dundalk. 
MacGahon,  T.  F.,  Editor  "  Dundalk  Democrat." 
Maguire,  Mr.,  Mooremount,  Dunleer. 
Maguire,  Mrs.,  Mooremount,  Dunleer. 

MacDougal,  Alexander,  Oakhurst,  Westcombe  Park.  London,  E.G. 
Moore,  Peter,  O'Connell  Place,  Fermoy. 
MuLLAN,  Rev.  John,  C.C,  Greenore,  Carlingford. 
Murphy,  J..  Solicitor,  Dundalk. 

Murray,  Rev.  Lawrence,  MacDermott's  Terrace,  Dundalk. 
MagGrath,  Redmond,  Clanbrassil  Street,  Dundalk. 
MacHugh,  Frank,  Lynn,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 
MacKeown,  Rev.  Michael,  C.C,  Dunleer. 
MacKeown,  Miss,  "  Drogheda  Argus,"  Drogheda. 

*  MacMahon,  Charles,  Solicitor,  Brookfield,  Dundalk. 
M'Neece,  Rev.  Fr.,  C.C,  Crossmaglen. 

*  MacNeill.  T.,  Mountpleasant,  Dundalk. 

*  McNeill,  Mrs.  T.,  Mountpleasant,  Dundalk. 

M ADDISON,  Rev.  Canon,  Vicars'  Court,  Lincoln. 
Martin,  Joseph,  St.  Malachy's,  Dundalk. 

Massereene  &  Ferrard,  The  Viscount,  Oriel  Temple,  CoUon. 
Mathews,  Patrick,  Editor  "  Examiner,"  Dundalk. 
Milne,  Alexander,  Manager  Provincial  Bank,  Drogheda. 
Montgomery.  Mrs.,  Killineer  House,  Drogheda. 
Moore,  Dr.,  Ardee. 

MoRAN,  Nicholas,  Julianstown,  Drogheda. 
Morris,  Henry,  8  Main  Street,  Strabane. 
Morris,  Patrick,  Donaghmoynej  Carrickmacross. 
MoYNAGH,  Stephen,  Solicitor,  Roden  Place,  Dundalk. 
Murphy,  Thomas,  Park  Street,  Dundalk. 

Neary,  0.  P..  Cookstown,  Ardee. 

*  National  Library,  Dublin. 

O'Briain,  Conor,  24  Roland  Gardens,  South  Kensington,  London. 
O'CoiGLEY,  Rev.  A.,  O.P.,  The  Priory,  Dominick  Street,  Dublin 
O' Conor,  E.,  D.L.,  Charleville.  Dunleer. 
O'Connell  Daniel,  SoUcitor,  Francis  Street,  Dundalk. 
O'CuiNN,  Padraic,  Inland  Revenue,  Drogheda. 


COUNTY   LOUTH   ARCHAEOLOGICAL  JOURNAL. 

O'Hanlon.  Seumas,  Castletown  Cooley,  Carlinefonl. 
O'MuNAiN,  Seoirse,  "29  Garville  Avenue,  Rathirar,  Dublin. 
O'LouGHTJN,  A.  G.,  Castlebellingham,  Co.  Louth. 
O'Neill,  Mrs.  Lizzie,  Jocelyn  Place,  Dundalk 
O'Reilly,  George,  Trinity  Street,  Drogheda. 
O'Reilly,  W.  J.,  D.L.,  Knock  Abbey,  Louth 
O'Searcaigh,  Seumas,  Ard-sgoil,  Columcille,  Donegal. 

Parr,  Dr.,  Laurence  Sreet,  Drogheda. 
Patteson,  Miss  L.,  Innisfail,  Dundalk. 
Patte.son,  Mrs.  Wm..  Seatown  House.  Dundalk. 
Pepper,  Colonel,  Ballygarth  Castle,  Julianstown,  County  Meatb. 
Pery,  The  Hon.  H.  De  Vere,  R.M.,  Termonfeckin. 
Plunket,  Hon.  Miss  G.,  Ballymascanlon  House. 
Plunket,  Hon.  Miss  K.,  Ballymascanlon  House. 
President,  The  Very  Rev.  St.  Mary's  College,  Dundalk. 

QuiNN,  Rev.  James,  C.C,  Cooley,  Carlingford. 

QuiNN,  Augustine,  The  Beeches,  Seaview  Road,  Liscard,  Cheshire. 

Rainsford,  John,  J. P.,  C.P.S.,  Temora,  New  South  Wales. 
Rector,  The  Rev.,  St.  Joseph's,  Dundalk. 

Roden,  Eabl  of,  Tullymore  Park,  Castlewellan,  County  Down. 
Rogers,  Very  Rev.  Canon,  P.P..  Ardee. 
Ross  of  Bladensburg,  Sir  John,  Rosstrevor. 
Ross  OF  Bladensburg,  Hon.  Lady,  Rosstrevor. 

*  Royal  Dublin  Society,  Dublin. 

*  Royal  Irish  Academy,  Dublin. 

*  Russell,  J.  J.,  Ballygassan,  Annagassan,  County  Louth. 

*  Rushe,  D.  C,  Far  Meehul,  Monaghan. 

*  Science  and  Art  Department,  Dublin. 
Searancke,  Samuel  H.,  Belfast  Bank,  Drogheda. 

*  Segrave,  Very  Rev.  Monsignor,  P.P.,  St.  Peter's,  Drogheda. 
Shelton,  Capt.  Bond,  Argosy,  Moy,  Co.  Armagh. 
Sheridan,  A.  N.,  Annaskeagh  House,  Dundalk. 
Short,  Rev.  C,  CC,  Carrickmore,  County  Tyrone. 
Skelly,  Rev.  A.  M.,  O.P.,  St.  Dominick's  Monastery,  Bush  and  Steiner  Sts.,  San  Franciso,  Cal . 
Small,  John  F.,  Coroner,  Newry. 

Smith,  Owen,  Nobber,  County  Meath. 
Smith,  Mrs.  Margaret,  Greenhills,  Drogheda. 
Smith,  Ralph,  Newtown  Termonfeckin,  Drogheda. 
Stourton,  Hon.  Mrs.,  Southgate,  Castlebellingham. 
Stubbs,  Major-General,  St.  Luke's,  Cork. 
Swan,  Allan,  Red  Barns  House,  Dundalk. 
SwANZY,  Rev.  Henry  B.,  Dcnaghadee,  Co.  Down. 

Taaffe,  George,  D.L.,  Smarmore  Castle,  Ardee. 
Taaffs,  Mrs.  John,  Louth  House,  Louth. 
Tempest,  William,  J. P.,  Dundalk. 
Tempest,  H.  G.,  Dundalk.- 

Turner,  John  William,  M.A.,  The  Laurels,  Dundalk. 

Urquhart,  F.,  Fellow  Baliol  College,  Oxford. 

Walshe,  R.  D-,  20,  Harrington  Street,  DubHn. 

Walsh,  R.  W.,  J. P.,  Williamstown  Hoase,  Castlebellingham. 

Ward,  Edward,  Ulster  Bank,  Dundalk. 

Weldrick,  J.  F.,  12,  Booterstown  Avenue,  Booterstown,  County  Dublin. 
Whitworth,  C.  S.,  Blackrock,  Dundalk. 

*  Whitworth,  Mrs.  C.  S.,  Blackrock,  Dundalk. 
Wilde,  George  H.,  Brookvillc,  Dundalk. 
Williams,  David   C  E  ,  Dundalk. 

*  Woolsey,  Major-General,  Milestown,  (.'a.stlebellingham. 
♦Wright,  Dr   E.  P.,  5  Trinty  College,  Dublin. 

Note  :— Hon.  Memders  are  indicated  by  an  asterisk. 


DUNDALK:  PRINTED  BY  W.  TEMFKST.